Hucknall Town's play-off hopes dented following heavy defeat at Aylestone Park

Hucknall Town suffered a setback in their bid to finish in the play-off places in the Uhlsport United Counties League after suffering a humbling 6-1 defeat away at Aylestone Park on Saturday (2 April).

The hosts made an electric start with Aaron Preston netting twice in the first two minutes. His opener came after just 15 seconds when Besongbap Beck-Ray teed him up to tap the Park into an exceptionally early lead.

Preston's second came from the penalty spot following Courtney Bartley's foul on Aaron Nuttall.

A fine Beck-Ray chip, a goal from defender Declan Towers and Preston's second penalty, which completed his hattrick, saw Aylestone 5-0 up with just over half an hour played.

Nuttall added a sixth in the second half before Joe Ashurst scored what proved to be merely a consolation goal for Hucknall.

Five minutes from the end the day went from bad to worse for The Yellows as captain Aaron Short was shown a straight red card for a professional foul.

Following the result Aylestone have leapfrogged Hucknall into fifth place in the table.

Speaking to the club's website, manager Andy Graves said: "I don't have any complaints about the result – we got what we deserved after our first half performance.

"I don't think they [Aylestone] had to properly work for a goal, and that's been the issue for us all season.

"In some games you can get away with it if you've got two or three players who aren't quite at it, but not seven or eight.

"At half time it was realistically about showing a bit of character, rolling our sleeves up and playing with a bit of pride. In the second half we came out, were a bit more purposeful and played the way we can play.

"It's disappointing but they have to learn from it. We've been here before and have bounced back, and that's what we've got to do now, because there are some tough games coming up."

Hucknall are back in action on Wednesday evening (6 April) as they again travel to Leicestershire this time to take on Saffron Dynamo.