A FIRST-half penalty condemned Kendal Town to a 1-0 defeat at home to Tadcaster Albion.

Aaron Hardy converted for the visitors on the stroke of half time, after Ben Thomas had felled former Leeds United winger Billy Whitehouse in the area.

Kendal dominated the second half but Tadcaster held onto secure victory while The Mintcakes' poor run of form continued.

The Yorkshiremen started the game well on a heavy pitch at the ST&B Accountants Stadium, while Kendal struggled to get going. Albion’s early pressure almost led to the first goal when Aiden Savory curled the ball inches wide of the post.

Kendal’s first opportunity came five minutes later when Rob Bowman skewed the ball wide from close range.

Tadcaster looked sharper and passed the ball well on a bad playing surface, before Fraser Papprill saw his acrobatic volley deflect over the bar.

Kendal created their best opportunity midway through the first half after Steven Yawson's side-footed strike was parried away by Michael Ingham in the Tadcaster goal.

However, the visitors continued their ascendancy as Corey Roper fired wide of the post before Whitehouse saw his close range shot on goal blocked by Ben.

Tadcaster opened the scoring on the stroke of half time they were awarded a penalty. Thomas’s bad challenge on Whitehouse left referee Mr Duckworth with the easy decision to award the spot kick. Hardy stepped up and side footed the ball past Matthew Johnson in the Kendal goal.

Kendal started the second half with more intensity as Paul Dawson saw his low effort held by Ingham, before Hardy cleared Martin Grundy's effort off the line.

Ingham in the Tadcaster goal made a stunning save with his foot to deny Bowman who managed to get a shot away in the penalty area

For all of the pressure, there were very few noteworthy chances while the Tadcaster defence stood firm.

Kendal’s final effort came in injury time but Thomas’s free kick was comfortably saved by Ingham.

Kendal: Johnson, Davis, Thomas, Grundy, Alexander, McDonald (C), Jordan, Staunton-Turner, Bowman, Dawson, Yawson

Subs: Buchan, Clark, Clarke, McGahon, Newton