Workington Reds slipped to a third successive defeat in what has become their worst start to a season for 50 years.
Not since the mid-70s, and their penultimate season in the Football League, have they lost their first three games.
The 2-0 reverse at Hednesford Town left them rooted at the foot of the NPL Premier Division table whilst the Staffordshire outfit look down on the rest having obtained a nine-points maximum.
Manager Darren Edmondson said: “We are sitting bottom with no points but if we dissect the performances, two have been reasonably good and one has been poor.
“I am gutted for the lads, having worked really hard to get to half time goalless and to then switch off momentarily at the start of the second half.
“Okay, we didn’t do enough going forward but defensively we were sound, but for that brief spell soon after the restart.”
The home side opened the scoring in the 50th minute when Simeon Maye converted Ahkeem Rose’s low cross from the right.
And they doubled their advantage five minutes later via what Edmondson thought was ‘a soft penalty’.
Jonny Edwards went to ground after minimum contact from Jack Dickinson and the referee pointed to the spot. Edwards converted.
Workington didn’t have enough about them as an attacking force to mount a comeback, although Steven Rigg headed narrowly over the bar via a David Symington corner.
The corner had been awarded after Town goalkeeper, Tony Breeden, failed to release the ball quickly enough and was penalised under the new ‘eight seconds’ ruling.
Edmondson handed a debut to Carlisle United’s Hayden Atkinson, after securing the defender on a loan deal, and the teenager impressed displaying a maturity beyond his years.
Next up for Reds are two home games. Warrington Rylands visit Borough Park on Tuesday and Ashton United next Saturday.
The club will learn their FA Cup opponents with the First Qualifying Round draw made on Monday.
Hear Edmondson’s verdict below:
