ASCOT United FC manager Jeff Lamb admitted he was “gutted” after seeing his new-look side lose 2-1 to Highmoor Ibis in their Hellenic League Premier Division opener at The Racecourse ground on Tuesday night, writes Dave Wright.

And it was a game where Lamb played the first 30 minutes in midfield and the next hour in goal.

He was forced to take over between the posts after keeper Carl Dennison had been sent off on his debut for bringing down Highmoor striker Anthony White just outside the penalty area.

“It’s many years since I played in goal and it took a little bit of adjusting,” he said.

Lamb made a few decent saves but accepted that his positioning was “shocking” when the visitors grabbed their second goal.

He felt defeat was harsh on his much-changed team, adding: “The guys deserved to take something out of the game.

“They are almost a completely new side and for them to battle the way they did was tremendous.”

Lamb disclosed that it had been a traumatic pre-season for the Yellamen, who have been consistently among the strongest and best-organised sides in the Hellenic League in recent seasons.

“We have lost 80 per cent of the last season’s squad and it was massively disappointing to see many players leave,” said Lamb.

“We only found out about a week or two before pre-season about the players leaving.

“When you are in that position it was very hard to know what to do. It was tremendously tough in trying to bring in players as most were already committed to clubs.

“But we won’t give up on trying to get new bodies in.

“This is my sixth season and I have used most of my contacts asking about players, but I think I will have to find some new ones.”

Speaking after Tuesday’s game, Lamb said: “Tonight we were light with some (players) on holiday and injured and then to have your goalkeeper sent off after just 30 minutes, your luck cannot get much worse than that.”

Dennison, signed from Windsor, had already impeded White once as he raced through before bringing down the same player close to the half-hour mark.

Referee Paul Andrews consulted his assistant before showing Dennison the red card.

And it was not long before Lamb was picking the ball out of his net when his defence was caught out by a long ball down the middle which White lobbed home from near the edge of the area.

Earlier, Ascot had gone close to scoring when the speedy Luke Wilson, another new signing, weaved his way across the area before seeing his effort cleared from just short of the goal-line by Danny Lingwood.

It was centre-back Lingwood, however, who gave away a penalty by holding down Charlie Samuels that enabled Paul Coyne to equalise from the spot with 10 minutes remaining.

Samuels, who only joined the club this week from Molesey, then struck the crossbar with a deft flick past keeper Nathan Silver.

And further proof that it was not Ascot’s night came two minutes from time when their defence failed to stop a mazy run from substitute Lamin Sankoh and his cross was turned home by Jamie Piercy from six yards.

The Yellamen are back in action this Friday (7.45pm ko) when they take on Milton United in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup at The Racecourse.

Lamb said four of the side who played on Tuesday are not available, but he will try to bring in a new keeper. If he can’t then he will play himself.

Bracknell Town, with four former Ascot players making their debuts, were also beaten on Tuesday, losing 3-1 at Flackwell Heath.

They took an early lead from a Callum Whitty penalty after Ian Davies had been brought down by keeper Dan Weait, but they were only ahead for seven minutes when the Robins defence failed to pick up Jamie Tripp and he was left with a free header.

Bracknell also failed to deal with a four-man move which led to Dan Rapley side-footing the ball home to give the Heathens the lead.

Robins started the second half well, but were unable to get back on level terms and conceded a third goal to Joe Blount.

Manager Mark Tallentire will be looking for an improved performance when they visit Thatcham – beaten 1-0 at home by Ardley on Tuesday – in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup on Saturday (3pm).

Skipper Alex Luis celebrated his 100th appearance for Binfield by helping them to a 2-1 win at Henley Town on Tuesday.

Ben Clarke fired the newly-promoted Red Kites into the lead after 15 minutes.

Seven minutes later the Moles were level through Liam Ferdinand after the striker had linked up well with James Knight.

Ferdinand missed a good chance and then shaved the post before Binfield grabbed the winner with Michael Walton heading home a corner from Luis.

Roger Herridge’s men host North Greenford United in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup this Saturday (3pm).