Hendon slipped to a second straight defeat of the Bank Holiday when Ryman League Premier Division leaders Ashford Town (Middlesex) scored three times without reply at Claremont Road. That they deserved to win is not in question, but their margin of victory was somewhat flattering.

After the defeat at Sutton United on Saturday, Hendon made four changes, Berkeley Lawrencin, Jamie Busby, James Bent and Brian Haule making way for Joe Walsh – a new keeper brought in from Bishop's Stortford – Dave Diedhiou, Lubo Guentchev and Chris Bangura.

Ashford for all their resilience in defence – and there didn't appear to be a challenge in the 90 minutes that they didn't relish – certainly looked far more potent in attack and goals looked possible almost every time they launched an attack.

In the fourth minute Scott Harris should have given them the lead when he was presented with a chance eight yards out. The ball, however, bounced a little higher than he expected and he could only lob it tamely over the bar.

Seven minutes later, Hendon really ought to have scored. First Guentchev was sent clear by a neat pass from Diedhiou. He ran straight at Paul Burgess and instead of going for placement, elected for power and the goalkeeper made a block. The ball bounced to Bangura who, under extreme pressure from Vinnie O'Sullivan, had to rush his follow-up shot and lifted it over the bar.

Ashford's next real attack brought them their first goal, although the Hendon defence were absolutely convinced that Byron Harrison was in an offside position when he took a pass from Ricky Wellard. Harrison ran on to score and Casey Maclaren was cautioned for his protest.

The older Maclaren brother was then the victim of a nasty high challenge from Adam Logie, but the assistant referee appeared not to see an infringement despite the incident happening right in front of him. Casey needed treatment before he was able to continue.

A magnificent piece of work by Sam Byfield almost fashioned an equaliser out of nothing after 35 minutes. Quite how Byfield reached what seemed an overhit through ball was remarkable, but his cross was an even better effort and Guentchev was a matter of inches from converting what would have been one of the goals of the season.

Instead, in first half stoppage time, Ashford scored their second goal. The Hendon defence was guilty of not making a solid clearance when given a couple of options, but Scott Harris’s return shot bounced into the ground, caromed off a couple of defenders and looped over the stranded Welch, who had no chance with the deflections.

A minute into the second half, Burgess was penalised for picking up a back-pass and Hendon were awarded a free-kick just inside the Ashford penalty area. Charlie Mapes received a short pass, and drilled the ball through the wall, only for Burgess to redeem himself with a good save.

In the 55th minute, Hendon conceded possession midway inside the Ashford half and, two passes later, Scott Harris was clear on goal, a run he finished with a clinical finish. For all of Hendon's efforts, they were suddenly 3-0 down and facing quite a beating.

But credit to the Greens, although almost everything they tried didn't come off, they never stopped trying and never resorted to hopeful punts downfield – even though that may have had more success than the passing game which was so rapidly snuffed out by eager Ashford tacklers.

Three substitutes were introduced in quick succession, James Bent and Danny Dyer taking over from the ineffectual Mapes, and Kevin Maclaren, then James Burgess replaced Marc Leach. Dyer certainly enjoyed more success down the right flank as a wing-back and he also took responsibility for a rare long-range shot.

A few minutes earlier, Mark Kirby had broken from defence and instead of shooting, tried to pass. When the move broke down, Scott Harris held off Leach and was denied a hat-trick by a brave save from Welch.

Guentchev twice went close to opening his account for the season. First he tried an overhead scissors-kick - a move his father had perfected - but the ball flew just over the angle of post and crossbar. Then he got his head to a driven cross from Dyer, but Paul Burgess made a flying save to push the ball away.

Hendon continued to press, but the players were well aware that this was definitely "one of those days", and they had to be careful they didn't get caught on the break.

Hendon manager Gary McCann said, "The second goal was a killer. It was a very lucky bounce, but we really should have cleared the danger. We didn't get much in the way of luck today."

(Report by David Ballheimer - not to be reproduced in any form without the author's agreement)