WITH just one of their back-to-back top-four challenges remaining, AFC Totton have yet to bank a point.

The Stags have had no change out of Taunton (2nd), Evesham (3rd) or Stratford (4th) and face the biggest challenge of all tomorrow when leaders Merthyr roll up at the Testwood Stadium.

After starting the new year with five straight league victories that pushed them to the fringes of the play-offs, Totton have collected just one point from 18.

Tough run But, as Tuesday’s 3-1 defeat at Stratford demonstrated, the gulf between them and the Southern One South & West elite is not as great as their position – 14th – would suggest.

“We’ve had a tough run and I feel for the boys because we’ve competed with these teams without getting anything out of it,” said manager Steve Riley.

“But I still think the experience our lads are getting and everything they are learning is really good for them.

“I was chuffed for young Ellis White on Tuesday. He’d been a bit frustrated not playing, but Rob Flooks was out with a tight calf and Ellis came in and put in a really good, solid defensive performance.

“It’s the same with Joe Maxwell and Taylor Edwards. They both waited for their opportunity, it came along and they took it. Taylor’s scored two in two games.

“The players will benefit from this experience and I’m sure that if you put the same set of lads out at Stratford next season, or the one after, they would have the know-how to win a game like Tuesday’s.”

Even Stratford’s Twitter feed acknowledged that Totton deserved more than they got, stating: “Unlucky on the visitors who dominated the second half.”

Riley agreed: “We conceded two early goals, but we woke up after ten minutes and dominated from then on. Taylor scored and we pushed men forward and put Stratford under a lot of pressure. They got their third with the last kick of the game when we were still pushing for a point. “It’s disappointing to lose, but I’m convinced everything that’s happened will stand the lads in good stead for the rest of this season and beyond.”

Merthyr have been through a rough patch themselves.

After beating Taunton 2-1 on Valentine’s Day, the romance died with a draw against North Leigh and twin defeats against Bridgwater and Didcot.

Normal service was restored on Tuesday as the Martyrs powered back from behind to win 3-1 at Swindon Supermarine. Ex-Saint Kayne McLaggon equalised before Ryan Prosser struck twice.

Merthyr – 4-0 October winners over Totton at Penydarren Park - will be without influential midfield playmaker Gavin Williams tomorrow as he starts a three-match ban.