HALSTEAD Town's struggles at the wrong end of the Essex Senior League table continue after they lost 4-0 at home to Athletic Newham, writes KEN GILLIARD.

The Humbugs should have been in front within the first minute when Dean Ager pinched the ball, got into the box and crossed for Alfie Lambert, who steered his effort just wide.

The Kings first attack came through Leonardo Pedro, who skipped inside the home defence but saw his effort comfortably collected by Halstead keeper Jack Cherry.

On eight minutes Halstead had a penalty appeal rejected when Jamie Eveleigh appeared to be tripped, following a short corner routine.

The visitors were looking to break on the Humbugs and it looked as if Hassan Togba was free on goal but Nick Miller's superb tackle saved the day.

Athletic Newham took the lead against the run of play when Togba got behind the home defence and slid the ball past Cherry and into the net.

It got worse for the hosts as the they lost their early momentum and George Rankin slammed home a loose ball from the edge of the area, to double the visitors' lead.

Newham were only denied a third by Cherry's sensational save, with Pedro’s far-post effort seemingly destined for the net.

Halstead were restricted to the odd break and long-range efforts, one from Everleigh flying wide of the upright.

The Humbugs improved in the final minutes of the first half but went in at half-time with it all to do.

Halstead made a couple of changes at the break, with Julian Simon-Parsons and Alfie Cleal entering the fray.

Simon-Parsons almost got on the end of Frodsham’s long throw to cut the arrears, in the opening minute of the second half.

It was Frodsham himself that was next to go close but Newham goalkeeper Harold Adu-Poko saved comfortably.

Halstead again made a strong start to the half but fell further behind on the hour.

A bouncing ball in the area caught the hand of Simon-Parson and after the referee pointed to the spot, Pedro converted the penalty despite Cherry getting his fingertips to his effort.

Cherry was needed again soon after as Alex Kozak sped down the left, cut in and was denied by the home keeper’s legs.

Halstead slowly fought back but within the space of a minute you could tell things weren’t going their way.

Firstly, Lewis Clifford’s effort came back off the inside of a post and then Eveleigh forced Adu-Poko to superbly tip over his goalbound effort.

Newham smashed the crossbar twice in quick succession with Cherry beaten before play switched to the other end and twice the Kings cleared off their own line, with Adu-Poko thankful to his covering defenders.

Halstead continued to knock on the door but they fell to a final sucker punch when substitute Peter Oyetunji poked home a loose ball after two fine saves from Cherry, to wrap up Newham's win.