In a disappointing first half only the performance of Liam Allen prevented Casuals being more than the two goals to the good given to them by Josh Uzan and Jerson Dos Santos.

The Moles improved in the second half and Manny Quarshie’s first Bostik League goal for the club halved the deficit, but any hopes of salvaging a point all but disappeared with Ashby Charles’s red card 15 minutes from time.

Ashley Lodge returned to the starting line-up at the expense of Dre Grobler in the only change to the side that won at Ashford at the weekend, meaning that Ronnie Sobowale had to make do with a place on the bench despite his match winning cameo in Kent.

As has been the case more than once this season the Moles got off to a slow start and were punished inside two minutes when Uzan fired home after his initial effort was blocked.

It could feasibly have been four inside the opening 15 minutes, but Allen twice came to Molesey’s rescue from Dos Santos, and Max Oldham fired wide when well placed.

Charles volleyed wide from a good position for the Moles, but it was the visitors posing all the questions, and they deservedly doubled their lead when Dos Santos swept home following a fine team move.

Lodge almost got the Moles back in the game on the stroke of half-time, but his sweetly struck volley was turned around the post by Danny Bracken.

The second half brought about an improved performance from the Moles, with Ross Chalke going close in the opening few seconds.

They didn’t have to wait long to get back in the game. Quarshie’s excellent first touch took him away from Malachi Robinson, and he fired confidently past Bracken from 16 yards.

Momentum was with the Moles for a while, and Chalke poked just wide when under pressure, but the visitors soon grew back into the game, with impressive pair Nathan Daly and Coskum Ekim both failing to find the target from range.

The ref had a fine game and took account of conditions, despite annoying the visitors by booking Dos Santos for throwing a tantrum that most toddlers would have been proud of.

And there would have been no complaints from the hosts for the red card issued to Charles for a senseless two footed lunge that was the Moles’ fourth red card in just eight games in all competitions this season.

Ato Okai was immediately introduced and injected his usual pace and exuberance, but there were no chances to speak of in the closing stages as the visitors held out in comfort to claim a deserved three points.

The Moles come up against another side that fell short in last season’s play-offs in Greenwich Borough on Saturday, before welcoming Thamesmead to Walton Road next Tuesday.

Report by Andrew Finch