Arlesey Town lost their unbeaten league record as they went down to a single goal defeat at Witham. It was their first defeat in seven Ryman League Division One North games but they have won only once and drawn the other five. Arlesey have scored just 10

Arlesey Town lost their unbeaten league record as they went down to a single goal defeat at Witham.

It was their first defeat in seven Ryman League Division One North games but they have won only once and drawn the other five.

Arlesey have scored just 10 goals so far and six of them came in two matches.

Things will have to turn around fairly quickly if they want to feature in the promotion shake-up at the end of the season.

The only goal came in the 35th minute when a through ball split the Arlesey defence and Ben Brewer was faced by an advancing Jack Rashid just outside his area.

Unfortunately for the Arlesey keeper, the ball spun away following the challenge and Brewer was able to recover and slot it home.

There had been little in the way of chances and the stalemate in the two forward lines continued until after the break when the visitors came out the stronger.

Twice 17-year-old Arin Fehmi got in but the former Barnet teenager was denied at the expense of a corner which was scrambled off the Witham goal-line.

Elder brother Kaan then replaced Fabien Forde and cut loose down the right but again the home defence denied Darran Hay.

Lewis Lee had also replaced Martin Young as Arlesey pushed for an equaliser but they were dealt a cruel blow eight minutes from time.

Rashid was forced to come out of his box once again but when confronted by a raised boot, he instinctively palmed the ball away and was immediately red carded.

Luke Bliss pulled on the jersey after coming off the bench and he made two excellent saves while Hay had two more chances which were thwarted.

The Blues are without a game on Saturday as AFC Hornchurch are in FA Cup action.

Old boy Leon Gutzmore should be in the squad the following Saturday as they host Flackwell Heath in the FA Trophy.

Blues: Rashid (Bliss 82m), McElroy, Dillnutt, Young (Lee 67m), Gray, Dogbe, A Fehmi, Tekell, Hay, Forde (K Fehmi 67m), Rydeheard.

Langford exited the FA Vase at the second round qualifying stage, going down 3-1 at home to Hounslow Borough.

Robert Groves put them in the lead after half an hour but the visitors scored three times after the break to book their passage into the next round.

Arlesey Athletic was thrashed 7-0 at home by Hertford Town in the first round of the South Midlands Floodlight Cup.

* Langford was beaten 4-2 at home by Broxbourne Borough in the SML Premier Division on Tuesday night. They were four goals down at the break before Groves' 55th minute penalty and Adam Pitcairn (89th minute) scored consolations.