Relegation-threatened Barnston AFC fell to a 2-0 loss at Alresford Colne Rangers in the Essex & Suffolk Border Football League on Saturday.
Two second-half goals sent Barnston to a fifth defeat in a row and a fifth consecutive game without scoring a goal.
The game started as an even affair, but the young Barnston side gave a good account of themselves.
The back three of Featherstone, Frost and George worked well as they did all they could to keep the home team out.
Arlesford came close when their number 10 struck a beautiful shot that was goal-bound to the top left-hand corner, but Eddie Coomber, in the Barnston goal, was equal to it.
Rangers had a goal ruled out for offside, before Barnston were forced into a substitution as Max Barry collided with the Arlesford captain.
The second half started with Barnston showing more encouraging signs as Redmond Carney came on for Barry and Jake De’ath replaced Joe Critchell.
The midfield three of Cory Wood, Sam Jones and Connor Malloy worked tirelessly, but the home defence worked well to soak up the pressure.
De’ath missed a good chance as he was played through, rounded the keeper but sliced wide from 12 yards.
Arlesford then broke the deadlock from the penalty spot after Elliott George brought down an attacker.
The match got tougher for Barnston as the result of the challenge from George left him injured and he was replaced by Kieron Heap.
The home side made it 2-0 15 minutes from the end when the new-look defence struggled to retrieve the ball off an Arlesford striker who smashed home.
Next up for third from bottom Barnston is a home clash with fourth placed West Bergholt.
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