Vauxhall 0 Hinckley United 2
THE Motormen suffered double agony on Saturday as they lost not only their fourth successive home match but influential playmaker James Olsen for the rest of the season.
The defeat leaves Vauxhall just six points clear of the relegation zone and their battle against the drop will not be helped by Olsen's absence, with the midfielder withdrawn at the interval with a serious ankle ligament injury.
They say you don't deserve anything in football if you don't take your chances, but the hosts really should have taken more from this game.
Hinckley had been beaten 4-1 at home by Owen Brown's side just a month earlier and only managed to raise three attacks all afternoon for a real smash-and-grab victory.
Decent early strikes by Chris Noone and Lee Woodyatt for Vauxhall were matched by smart saves by Tommy Whittle in the United goal.
Hinckley took the lead on 36 minutes as substitute Matt Lewis collected a fine through ball and had time to pick his spot. Just before the break, the Motormen had strong claims for a penalty turned down for handball.
Shortly after the restart, a seemingly good 'goal' by fit-again Peter Cumiskey was ruled out for offside while both Anthony Wright and Cumiskey went close to levelling in quick succession.
Vauxhall were left staring at another home reverse five minutes from the end when Lewis and Chris Smith advanced down the right and veteran striker Paul Barnes swept home the cross at the near post.
Even then, the Motors wasted another good chance as Anthony Wright lobbed over the bar when well placed from Steve McNulty's flick-on.
Vauxhall: Dittmer, Woodyatt, McDermott, Glendenning, McNulty, D Wright, Noone, Lawton, A Wright, Olsen (Griffiths 45), Cumiskey (Spellman 80). Attendance 183.
