On Tuesday night Town's win less run extended to eight matches with a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Oakwood in a match where we struck the woodwork three times and probably created more scoring chances than in any other match this season.

Back into the side at left-back came Ollie Pickup for Rob Hare and up front, in came Rob Clark with Callum Towse dropping to the bench.

On a chilly but clear and still night at the Shooting Field (ideal football conditions), the match started at a fast pace and a few minutes in Mo Shug'ga got down the right to deliver a decent cross for Kris Harding to rattle the visitors' cross bar with a hooked shot.

The rebound led to a bit of scramble and an injury to Oaks defender Reece Abbott who was stretchered off.The game soon restarted though and it was then Oakwood's turn to go close when forward Tom Frankland broke away to shoot low and produce a fine save from Aaron Jeal.

The match progressed in a lively, fast flowing fashion with from us plenty of endeavor up front with everyone linking up well and some great running in particularly from Rob Clark and Craig Knowles. At the back we did a good job in keeping Oaks front men Darren Tidy and Frankland at bay.

On 25 minutes a Craig Knowles free-kick from the right found Lewis Levoi, who headed at Oaks keeper Jess Grimstone and a few minutes later Harding shot just wide when through 'one on one'.
Down the other end the dangerous Frankland went close again before for us near half-time a Boxall through-ball found Levoi again, who shot just over the top from the edge of the box.

There was also times for a strong penalty should when Dodd nipped the ball past the keeper and appeared to be scythed down. The strong appeals from everyone on and off the pitch appeared this was a penalty however the ref waved play on indicating the keeper had got a touch on the ball.

So at the break plenty of chances but no goals, though one felt it would only be a matter of time. Half-time - Town 0 Oakwood 0

We started the second-half as we ended the first and a few minutes in a Matt Dodd pass found Harding only to shoot tamely at the keeper when through one on one.

Another string of chances followed with Grimstone saving with his feet from Rob Clark, Harding hitting the bar again with a good effort and Knowles and Levoi also going close.

But, it was on 69 minutes that the deadlock was finally broken when Oaks winger Dean Lovegrove got away down the left evading lunges from both Shug'aa and Finch and cut in to set up Clive Pillar to score from close range. 1-0 Oakwood.

A few minutes later John replaced Harding with Chad Milner to try and freshen things up and get something back and we indeed continued to press but that elusive goal would just not come.
Aaron Tewsley also replaced Shug'ga late on.

With a few minutes to go a whipped free-kick from Milner struck the Oaks left up-right but cliche time - 'it was just one of those nights'.
Final score - Town 0 Oakwood 1

So, so disappointing to end up with nothing after creating so much and we're getting sick of the sight of Oakwood, having lost to them three times this season! Also, all the more frustrating after also playing so well at leaders Worthing United on Saturday. Onwards and upwards and hopefully will get back to winning ways home to Little Common on Saturday.

Town line-up - Jeal, Shug'ga (Tewsley), Pickup, Finch, Parsons (capt), Dodd, Levoi, Clark, Harding (Milner), Boxall, Knowles Subs not used - Early, S Gritt, Towse

Ref - Steven Baker Assts - Angela Baker & Darren Evans