ARLESEY Town continue to fall down the Ryman League Division One North table after a single goal home reverse by Great Wakering Rovers. Despite a shuffled pack, with skipper James Gray playing as a striker, their poor form carried on by losing their secon

ARLESEY Town continue to fall down the Ryman League Division One North table after a single goal home reverse by Great Wakering Rovers.

Despite a shuffled pack, with skipper James Gray playing as a striker, their poor form carried on by losing their second consecutive game at the Raj Villa Stadium and again failing to score a goal.

This slump in form puts any hopes of the play-offs out of sight.

In fact, the remainder of the season could be a fight to avoid the bottom end as their performance against a club lower than themselves in the table lacked any semblance of cohesion.

With so many changes, it was not surprising that the home side were uncertain of their roles on the day.

In the 12th minute, they should have taken the lead though when from a partially cleared Lee Tekell corner, the ball arrived at Dean McElroy at the far post. But with visiting keeper Green stranded, McElroy hooked the ball over the bar.

Arlesey fell behind in the 18th minute when they conceded a free-kick that they failed to clear.

The initial shot was blocked but Tuohy latched on to the rebound and it squirmed into the net despite Jack Rashid making a valiant attempt.

David Iwediuno replaced Arin Fehmi before his brother Kaan Fehmi got into the area but his shot lacked the power to force an equaliser.

At the other end, a Richmond shot was blocked by Gordon Barr at the expense of a corner, the Arlesey defender injured in the process.

Arlesey spurned a golden chance when new boy Alexis Charambolis picked up a corner and placed an astute ball into the box.

Michael McKenzie missed the opportunity from close range, side footing weakly when power would have produced a certain equaliser.

After the break, the home side opened strongly as both Gray and McElroy had efforts blocked,

Arlesey made further substitutions in an attempt to force a goal, Matt Clark and Michael Leon replacing Kaan Fehmi and Barr.

Charambolis showed some trickery to engineer an opening but as with most home efforts it was blocked and the rebound found Gray whose attempt was also charged down.

Great Wakering should have put Arlesey out of their misery in the 78th minute as Tuohy missed a sitter from close range after a fine run and cross down the left by Wilson.

Arlesey almost equalised a few minutes later when in a goalmouth scramble, Leon had his shot blocked on the line, and then Gray headed narrowly over from a right-wing cross.

Despite being just out of the relegation positions themselves, the visitors held on to complete the double over the Blues.

Blues: Rashid, Barr (Leon), Bloss, Dogbe, McElroy, Charambolis, K Fehmi (Clark), Tekell, Gray, McKenzie, A Fehmi (D Iwediuno).