Non-league round up: Slow start costs Hednesford Town dear
Assistant boss Lee Vaughan felt Hednesford Town were guilty of shooting themselves in the foot after they fell to a frustrating 2-1 defeat at Vauxhall Motors.
The Pitmen found themselves two down at the break through goals from Adam Rooney and Connor Rankin and though Dom McHale gave them hope when he netted early in the second half, they could not find a leveller.
Hednesford boss Gavin Hurren was sent-off in stoppage time with his team now having failed to keep a clean sheet for nine matches.
Assistant Vaughan said: “At the moment it feels like we need to score three goals to win a game. I felt like if we had gone in at 1-0 we would have won the game.
“We are going behind too often and you can’t often get yourselves out of it with a bit of magic.”
Next up is a home derby with Stafford Rangers on Boxing Day. Their rivals approach the fixture rooted in the Northern Premier League Division One West relegation zone after letting slip a lead to lose late on at home to Stalybridge Celtic.
Jimmy O’Neill fired the Boro ahead early in the second half but a calamitous own goal from goalkeeper Cameron Belford levelled the scores before the hosts then had Scott Wara sent-off after picking up two bookings in the space of four minutes.
Stafford battled to hold on for a point and looked like they had achieved it until three minutes into stoppage time when Jack Irlam put the visitors in front. There was still time for Lewis Rawsthorn to rub further salt in the wound with a third.
Chasetown are up to fifth after coming from behind to beat Clitheroe. Joey Butlin cancelled out Jordan Windass’ early opener for the visitors with George Cater then getting the winner for the Scholars in the second half.
Sporting Khalsa are fourth in the Division One Midlands Divison after coming from behind to win an eight-goal thriller at Bedworth United.
Khalsa found themselves two down inside the opening 21 minutes in Warwickshire and were still trailing 3-2 with seven minutes remaining before Andre Landell levelled and both Peter Taylor and Jayden Campbell scored in stoppage time.
A first half double from Kieran Cook earned Darlaston Town a 2-1 win over Rugby Town which sees them fifth in the table at Christmas. There was also joy for Lye Town, who boosted their survival hopes with a 2-1 home win over AFC Rushden and Diamonds.
