Report and picture special - Bognor slip to defeat at Cheshunt
and live on Freeview channel 276
Jake Cope was announced as a new signing from Bournemouth and he started on the bench for the Rocks in Hertfordshire.
In the opening exchanges Alfie Stanley and Ashton Leigh teed up Jordy Mongoy for a shot into the side netting. Jamie Reynolds forced Amadou Tangara into a save before Taylor Miles smashed a free-kick over. Ethan Robb received a booking for the challenge that led to it.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdMiles slid in late on Tommy Leigh and was booked on 11 minutes.
Zack Newton forced Tangara into a save with his leg, but he was offside so it wouldn’t have counted. Joe Re scuffed a shot well wide.
Mo Camara clashed in the air with Amadou Tangara, meaning he spilled the ball. But the referee awarded a free-kick to Bognor.
A Cheshunt free-kick was hit into the wall by David Knight and the rebound was deflected off a Bognor defender and just wide on 32 minutes.
A forgettable first half for the Rocks ended goalless.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdTangara had to punch clear a corner by Miles from Cheshunt in the early moments of the second half.
Bognor full-back Tommy Cooney did well to get a cross in after hold-up play by Mongoy. The corner by Ashton Leigh was played short to Harvey Whyte but his cross was dealt witt.
A Bognor corner taken by Ashton Leigh was headed over by brother Tommy Leigh at the back post on 55 minutes.
On 60 minutes Bradley Lethbridge replaced Stanley for Bognor, who needed to freshen things up as nothing was working. Re ran onto a Lethbridge mistake before hooking the ball narrowly over the bar from a tight angle.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdNewton was replaced by Beckles Richards on 64 minutes for the hosts before a cross had to be bravely gathered by Tangara at the feet of Reynolds.
Ashton Leigh went into the book for a foul. The free-kick was flapped at and spilled by Tangara but the follow-up by Reynolds flew wide.
Adam Cunnington came on for Camara on 74 minutes then Ashton Leigh's free-kick to the back post found Tommy Leigh, but he headed it wide.
Sam Dowridge and Mongoy forced a corner before a push in the area was ignored by the referee. Ben Mendoza replaced Ashton Leigh on 77 minutes for Bognor.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdSee pictures from the game by Lyn Phillips and Trev Staff in the slideshow above
Beckles Richards capitalised on a loose pass by Dowridge and a Cheshunt corner found McKenzie, who rattle the crossbar on 79 minutes.
Cheshunt got the brakthrough on 81 minutes. Beckles Richards capitalised on a square pass after Robb was caught napping on the right and he ran on before slamming it low beyond Tangara.
New man Cope came on for Dowridge on 84 minutes. Joe Cook blocked a shot on the line with Bognor under the cosh.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdBognor - down to 13th in the table - will be concerned they didn't force the goalkeeper into a save in this game and will hope for a big improvement at home to East Thurrock United on Saturday.
Rocks: Tangara, Flannigan, Cooney, Whyte (c), Cook, Robb, Dowridge (Cope 84), T Leigh, Mongoy, Stanley (Lethbridge 60), A Leigh (Mendoza 77). Subs not used: Wood, Baker