Ascot United keeper Carl Dennison cut a disconsolate figure as he sat on the steps outside the clubhouse reflecting on a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Lydney Town.

He deserved some sympathy, as he had just had one of those unfortunate days which some keepers might endure occasionally once in their careers, if not at all.

But it happened to him twice in the space of 12 minutes on Saturday.

Two attempts to hack the ball clear from an onrushing opponent hit the player and rebounded into the net.

Dennison went on to make a couple of flying saves, but that was little comfort for a keeper playing in a side struggling to score goals themselves.

This defeat at the Racecourse ground was United’s fourth in five games and in each of them they had failed to score.

Yet in their three previous games the Yellamen had secured three successive wins, scoring an impressive total of 18 goals in the process.

Their sudden dip in form coincided with several players not being available for a variety of reasons, with leading scorer Charlie Samuels their biggest loss due to a lengthy suspension.

Ben Knight, who like Samuels has netted eight goals, and James Brazier, with four, were just two more key players missing on Saturday.

So it was no real surprise that Ascot drew another blank sheet despite some dangerous balls being threaded into the Lydney goalmouth.

James Goodey tried hard to make things happen without anything to show for his industry, Steve Deverell worked tirelessly in midfield and Jesse Wilson stood out in defence.

Whilst not outstanding, it was an encouraging performance by the Yellamen and as the hour mark approached they looked capable of at least securing a point.

But that was until luck turned against them.

In the 57th minute, Dennison was quickly shut down as he attempted to clear, only for the ball to strike Pat Gibbs and roll slowly into the net.

Unbelievably, it happened again 11 minutes later. Lydney defender Niall Halford was allowed to run with the ball from deep to set up an attack. Dennison was quick off his line to block the initial effort, but Ascot could not clear their lines and when the keeper tried to kick clear, the ball hit Halford and flew into the net.

At the other end, substitute Aaron Ross hit the outside of the post, further proof it just wasn’t to be Ascot’s day.

United visit winless Burnham, this Saturday, having hammered them 7-2 at home last month.