KENDAL Town lost their third consecutive game on Saturday as they were beaten 3-1 by promotion-chasing Hyde United.

The Mintcakes are now just nine points above the relegation places having slipped to 17th in the table.

Hyde started brightly and were 1-0 up after nine minutes when Janni Lipka's deep free kick was headed into the net by Tyrone Gay.

Kendal almost equalised thirteen minutes later when Steven Yawson's close-range effort on goal was parried away by the Hyde United keeper.

Hyde were awarded a penalty kick on the half hour mark when Luke Porritt was felled in the box. Matthew Beadle stepped up to convert the spot kick as Hyde edged into a 2-0 lead.

Both sides were reduced to ten men after an incident between Beadle and Kendal’s Jacob Davies. Beadle was brandished the red card for reacting to Davies, who had appeared to throw a punch.

Hyde nearly made it 3-0 on the stroke of half time when Dominic Marie’s close range header was saved by the legs of Matthew Johnson in the Kendal goal

Kendal were better in the second half, while Hyde United had several opportunities to score the third goal, most notably through Marie who forced another good save out of Johnson.

Hyde scored their third goal after 81 minutes when a ball in from the right wing by Big Khamsuk was slotted into the bottom corner of the net by Karl Jones. Jones with his first touch showed plenty of composure before finishing past the Kendal keeper.

Kendal had a late rally, and were awarded a penalty when a driven cross hit Ross Daley’s arm inside the box. New signing Gareth Arnison converted the spot kick to make it 3-1.

Arnison, who re-joined the club after last playing for the Mintcakes in 2006, also missed a late opportunity as Hyde saw out the remainder of the game.