After their recent upturn in form, Kings Langley suffered a setback against a Slough Town side determined to turn their games in hand into points and get them back in the Southern League Premier Division play-off positions as they secured a 2-0 victory at Gaywood Park.

Steve Conroy’s men had been good value for the when visiting Slough a fortnight previously, gaining a 1-1 draw and more than matching their opponents.

But Kings found them a different proposition on Saturday, being decidedly second best for most of the opening 45 minutes and penned in their own half for long periods.

Prior to kick-off, a presentation was made to Kings defender Gary Connolly in recognition of his 200th game for the club.

Town’s new signing Perry Coles lobbed Martin Bennett as early as the fifth minute but saw the ball go just wide of the post.

Chris Flood’s ambitious back-heel suffered a similar fate, before Kings got a sight of goal midway through the half with Mitchell Weiss stabbing wide and Kieran Turner just unable to connect with a cross.

This was a signal for the Rebels to up the pace and a huge throw-in from Guy Hollis saw his fellow defender Mark Nesbit power a thumping header into the net for the lead in the 26th minute.

Six minutes later Kings fell to another set piece as James Dobson’s corner received an equally emphatic header from Flood And as Slough chased a third goal, Martin Bennett reacted superbly to tip a George Wells power strike onto the bar and safety.

The home side had to improve in the second half and they did, enjoying an opening 10 minutes when the flow of traffic was reversed and the home crowd had hopes of another comeback.

A good Turner run and cross saw Weiss miscue his shot, Arjun Jung fired an effort from a central position just over the bar and then the same player went for an acute angled shot when a low cross may have been more productive.

When a third chance fell to Jung after more good work by Turner, he was unlucky to see his shot go inches wide. But the uncompromising Slough defenders were throwing themselves into blocks and gradually the intensity of Kings attacks fell away as the promise of reward faded.

Contrary to the second-half excitement of recent weeks, there was little for the Kings faithful to cheer, apart from another super save by Bennett from Coles, as Slough managed the game to a victorious conclusion for them.

Kings remain fourth from bottom following the defeat ahead of tomorrow night’s home game with another play-off chasing side, Royston Town.

Kings Langley: Bennett; Fraser, Connolly, Johnson, Adebiyi; Coldicott-Stevens (Karagozlu 88), Ball, Godfrey; Jung (Ward 84), Weiss, Turner. Subs not used: Minchev, Femiola.