Big blow for Dunstable Town’s title hopes

MISSING in-form marksman Lee Roache and regular keeper Paul Taylor, Dunstable Town’s Molten Spartan SML Premier Division title hopes were dealt a major blow as Tring Athletic scored a first-ever league victory over the Blues on Tuesday night.

Dunstable had plenty of possession and produced some good approach play, but their finishing let them down as they also missed a penalty.

It was their first league defeat in 13 games and they fell three points behind leaders Royston Town who secured a narrow 1-0 win over Hillingdon Borough.

Tring made the most of what came their way and took an 11th-minute lead when Connor Waite headed Paul Jeffrey’s cross past debutant keeper Mark Osborn.

Dunstable responded, but several promising moves ended with startlingly poor finishing, and Tring doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark when an offside-looking Leon Thomas deflected the ball past Osborn.

The Blues attacked relentlessly in the second half, but Tring were prepared to hang on to their lead.

Substitute Craig Henney’s penalty was thwarted by a fine save from Mike Underwood as Dunstable also lost key players Jack Nelly and Jonathan Cooper to injury and Danny Mead to illness.

The Blues host Holmer Green on Saturday and entertain Biggleswade United on Tuesday night.