KENDAL’S dismal away form continued with defeat to relegation-haunted New Mills at Church Lane on Saturday.

An injury to midfielder Tommy Watson forced one change to the side that had drawn against Lancaster with Rory Winters pushed into an unfamiliar midfield role and teenager Ben Thomas taking his place at left back.

Mike Stringfellow’s side lined up with five across midfield and the Town boss sitting in front of the back four and, in an uninspiring first half, home skipper James Hampson’s missed header right on half-time was the only real chance as Town were reduced to speculative long-range efforts.

The Millers struck the crucial first goal right after the restart when Hampson’s ball in from the left was missed by both New Mills’ forwards and Town keeper Danny Eccles, and found its way straight into the far bottom corner.

The goal forced Town to change to 4-4-2 in an effort to give Jordan Connerton more support up front and the match opened up as a result with Connerton unluckily firing wide after turning defender Daniel Vincent in the box.

However, Town’s fate was soon all but sealed. At first, the visitors seemed to have escaped when Tunde Owolabi was adjudged to have fouled on-loan Town keeper Danny Eccles as he bundled home Robert Hiza’s cross.

But, Eccles’ attempt at a quick restart from the resulting free kick backfired as the Town keeper presented the ball straight to Hiza. The tricky winger then got in behind the Town defence to square for Owolabi to tap in for a gift of a goal at the far post.

The visitors’ response was Connerton lifting a shot over the bar and, on another day, Town’s leading scorer could have bagged at least a hat-trick as he was again thwarted, this time by an outstanding one-handed push away on the turf by keeper Higginbotham.

New Mills were pushed ever deeper as full-time approached with Town denied the chance of a consolation in the last minute of normal time.

Connerton’s run into the box was stopped by keeper Higginbotham with referee Gibbons pointing straight to the penalty spot.

But, the Kendal marksman fired too close to Higginbotham who pulled off a comfortable save.

This latest away defeat means that Town have collected a mere three wins, and 14 points from a possible 60, on the road.

Report by Garry Woodworth