Paul Hughes says Kings Langley are surprised to have lost "kingpin" Danny May to Royston Town so soon but admits he and joint-boss Ritchie Hanlon had expected to lose the midfielder.

Watford-born May, 26, only joined Kings from Hemel Hempstead Town in the summer following a six-year stay at Vauxhall Road and had previously turned out for Northampton Town in the Football League.

But after just a handful of appearances he has joined Southern League Division One Central rivals Royston following a seven-day approach.

Hughes said: "The chairman said there had been an approach for Danny. We said he could speak to them after seven days because he's not under contract.

"We know Royston have a huge budget and we couldn't say no. It was too good turn down and I think his performances have raised a few eyebrows.

"He was here for about four or five games – it didn't take long for him to be signed up. But that is what we have to deal with here."

He continued: "He's been the kingpin; one of the players you build the team around. We did foresee him going, we just didn't see him going so soon."

Kings lost their first game without the former Enfield Town utility man, 2-1 at home to Arlesey Town on Saturday by conceding in the first minute and late on.

Behind after just 16 seconds, Kings were always facing an uphill struggle following Christian Tavernier's early strike.

"In the first half they deserved to be winning," said former Chelsea midfielder Hughes. "In the second half we changed things around and it was pretty much all us.

"We had a lot of possession but only got our goal in the 81st minute. We still wanted to win the game and they caught us out with a long throw-in."

Hughes continued: "Usually we have a good reaction [to falling behind] and in the second half we were pretty dominant. The problem was creating enough chances to win the game.

"Mitchell Weiss was on the bench after failing a fitness test so we brought him on as a desperate measure and, to be fair, he made a lot of difference."

Gary Connolly did pull Kings level but only briefly as Louis Lee tucked home the winner five minutes from time for the side who had started the day bottom of the pile.

Kings will look to bounce back at Leighton Town on Saturday.