Kings fall at the first hurdle in the Premier Division Cup

For the second time in three matches Kings conceded a penalty in the first five minutes.

A right wing cross found Josiah Hunt in space and his forward run was halted by Luke Ladyman, resulting in Ant Ladyman being beaten from the spot for the fourth time this season.

The pace of the scorer, Jack Boyd, and the home wingers were giving a new defensive formation more than its share of problems and Kings were lucky not to concede another penalty for a Warren Plowright tackle on the edge of the box.

At the other end, Kings moved the ball well and had their share of chances, but the cutting edge is missing at the moment and going a goal behind represents an uphill task lately.

There was to be no happy return for Sam Warrell, making his first start after an 11-month injury.

Minutes after a header almost gave an equalizer, Warrell took a knock and was subbed at the break.

The introduction of Stuart Deaton at the back initially seemed to shore up the defence and Kings attacked with purpose.

The home defence resorted to some cumbersome challenges to halt Alex Campana’s excursions and the subtlety of the newly introduced Mitchell Weiss.

But when the former lost the ball in a promising attack, the defence looked wide open again as Boyd’s run and cool finish effectively settled the tie.

The visitors did have the consolation of a powerfully headed goal by Weiss from a Campana corner in the second minute of time added on, but celebrations were non-existent, as it was a case of too little, too late