KENDAL Town failed to capitalise on their victory at Harrogate last weekend as they fell to a 3-1 defeat when they hosted in-form Ossett Albion at the Pye Motors Stadium on Saturday, writes Richard Edmondson.

The visitors gained the breakthrough when James Riley headed the ball into the net before the Mintcakes quickly responded as Tom Kilifin slotted the ball home.

Rob Boardman scored in the second half for Albion to take them into the lead before he stepped up to the penalty spot in the final minute to grab his second and secure the win for the visitors.

The Mintcakes have failed to win two games on the bounce since mid-September and now sit ten points adrift of the play-off places, a gap they will hope to close when they take on strugglers Droylsden next weekend.

Albion started the game well by putting Kendal under early pressure as Boardman, Nicholas Matthews and Adam Muller all caused problems for the Town defence.

The visitors almost went ahead on 15 minutes as Mintcakes keeper Ric Whiteside was forced into a diving save by Boardman.

Whiteside couldn't keep out the next attempt though when Riley produced a powerful header on 28 minutes that slotted into the corner.

Kendal's response could not have been better as they levelled just a minute later when Tom Kilifin latched onto a through ball in the box and clinically finished with his right foot.

Then Jordan Connerton could have put Kendal ahead as he saw his header saved before hitting the woodwork with a powerful drive on goal.

From that point on Ric Whiteside had to make a string of saves to keep things level before Ossett finally broke through in the second half after 73 minutes as Alex Randall lost the ball in midfield and Boardman took advantage with a clinical finish.

Kendal had yet another chance to level through former Lancaster City striker Aaron Taylor but he fired wide of the left hand post after he was set up by Connerton.

Ossett then made the game safe on 90 minutes as Boardman scored from the penalty spot following a rash challenge.