IT was a blank Bank Holiday weekend for Slough Town with a 1-0 defeat at East Thurrock on Saturday being followed by a 2-1 reverse at the hands of Dulwich Hamlet at Arbour Park on Monday.

And in both games they were left to rue a series of missed chances.

Saturday’s reverse was particularly disappointing as the Essex side had lost all of their five previous games, but they were still the better side on the day.

As joint manager Jon Underwood said there was nothing unlucky about the defeat, adding: “Too many players simply weren’t good enough.

“We let down an excellent travelling support.”

Yet they made a promising start in front of a crowd of 327 with Warren Harris and Chris Flood both threatening the home goal.

Then George Wells had a shot parried by keeper Jack Giddens with Manny Williams’ follow-up being blocked.

Williams hit the crossbar as Slough continued to look the better side, but as the half progressed the home side started to work their way more into the game and Alfie Egan headed their first real chance wide.

However, neither side were able to stamp their authority on the match and with less than 15 minutes remaining the game looked to be heading towards a goalless stalemate.

But by now East Thurrock had sent on Dan Orsi-Dodomo and it was the substitute who snatched the 79th-minute winner, seizing onto a ball over the top and rounding keeper Jack Turner before slotting home.

Slough were determined to bounce back to winning ways on Monday against Dulwich Hamlet and their chance of succeeding improved when Louie Soares put them ahead in the opening minute of the second half.

But once again they were made to pay a heavy price for missed chances.

Lee Togwell, James Dobson and Soares all had efforts off target in the opening 10 minutes, and then Ben Harris sent a header over the bar.

Perry Coles sent a free header straight into the arms of keeper Preston Edwards, who then pulled off a brilliant save to deny Dobson.

But Edwards’ first job in the second half was to pick the ball out of his net with Soares racing through unchallenged and firing into the far corner.

The Rebels, however, were not ahead for long with Dipo Akinyemi heading powerfully past Turner from six yards out in the 56th minute.

Hamlet then came within inches of taking the lead in the 63rd minute as a long ball released Akinyemi and his effort left Turner standing but crashed against the post.

Back came Slough, only to find Edwards in top form.

Their hopes of getting a deserved point, however, were ended five minutes before time. They managed to block Ashley Carew’s effort, but the ball fell kindly to Nyren Clunis, who thumped it into the net.

The hosts pushed hard in a bid for a late equaliser and Simon Dunn was not far away in the closing stages.

It means Slough’s three defeats so far have all been by the odd goal and they will be hoping for a change of fortune when they travel to fourth-placed Chelmsford City this Saturday (3pm).

  • See today's Observer for more Slough Town news and pictures.