Histon lose out narrowly to Premier Division South leaders Aylestone Park at Bridge Road

Histon saw their three-match winning run in the United Counties League Premier Division ended by a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Aylestone Park on Saturday.

While Chris Nunn’s Stutes put in a battling display at their Bridge Road base, the title-chasing visitors ultimately had too much quality as they sealed a result that saw them open up a three-point lead over St Neots Town at the top of the table.

Park broke the deadlock with 11 minutes on the clock when Abdul Rahman Sunmonu swept the ball in at the back post from Lamar Parkes’ low cross.

They took that one-goal advantage into the break and duly extended it just shy of the hour mark through Billy Key, who turned the ball in from close range after more creative play from Parkes.

To Histon’s credit, they continued to battle on and they set up a nervy finish for the away side when substitute Taylor Franklin halved the deficit in the 83rd minute.

And Histon captain Max York had a good chance to secure a point in stoppage time, but his effort was kept out by Park goalkeeper Liam Castle.

The loss has seen Histon drop down to ninth in the table with a five-point gap to the play-offs ahead of their trip to Newport Pagnell Town on Saturday (7 December). Newport, who have won back-to-back league fixtures, are two places and point adrift of Histon.

Meanwhile, the Aylestone clash marked a debut for new signing Will Ronald.

The 17-year-old right-back has joined Histon on a work experience loan deal from EFL League One outfit Northampton Town.