Despairing Slough a shadow of the side but.......

It was John Bunyan who wrote of "The Slough of Despond" and Wexham Stadium produced its own personal version on Saturday as the Rebels again seriously damaged their hopes of winning the league this term.

Again it was Slough's total lack of daring in front of goal which enabled a well organised Stortford side to replace the Rebels in second spot and not surprisingly, on goal difference.....their third defeat in four games.

It might have been a different story though as Dennis seemed blatantly tripped from behind in the Stortford area after only 30 seconds, but the referee only awarded a corner.

Slough's recent record of four misses in five from the penalty spot must leave it to debate as to whether it was an incident of such importance though.

After Dodd robbed Weddel of a golden chance to put Stortford ahead from close range, Slough began to create opportunities which should have put them into a comfortable lead.

But Bateman headed over from a corner in the ninth minute, Adams robbed the 'keeper of the ball and wasted an open goal by misdirecting his pass to Stanley and Thompson was denied by Taylor in the Stortford goal when clean through.

Stortford scored their first in the 21st minute when Slough failed to clear from the visitors first corner and the ball rolled to McCayna to rifle home through a series of Slough legs.

Adams put Thompson in the clear again minutes later after robbing Moore, but the Slough strikers usual lethal finish was deflected over the bar by the 'keepers foot. Slough continued to pressure Stortford but at a time when they were most needed the goals seemed to be eluding a rather insipid front line despite scores of chances.

Dennis, Thompson and Stanley were all denied on the line after a 33rd minute goal-mouth scramble before the Rebels best chance of the game, a looping shot by Stanley, hit the crossbar and went over.

Disaster struck the off-form Rebels on the stroke of half-time when Young was allowed to race to the edge of the six yard box and fire home from an acute angle to put the visitors two up.

Jackman was substituted for Milbourne at half time as the visitors looked to consolidate their lead and Slough couldn't do anything right.

Either they were caught offside or knocking senseless high balls to a front line dwarfed by the Stortford "six footers".

Dennis was the inspiration behind an otherwise lacklustre performance, turning in a workmanlike display and managing to carve a rare 67th minute opening. His cross was headed goal bound by Thompson only for Stanley to bungle the simple tap in from five yards.

Greenaway came on for Duffy in the 78th minute to try and give Slough some firepower up front but a minute later Stortford countered this by introducing Zachau to give the weakened Slough defence a new challenge.

The superb Zachau did just this with an overhead kick going inches wide and forcing Bunting to pull off two marvellous diving saves in the dying minutes.