SLOUGH Town begun the New Year with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Chesham United on Bank Holiday Monday.

The Rebels conceded a first-half lead to lose at Arbour Park and missed the chance to close the gap on Southern Premier Division leaders Leamington, who were beaten by Banbury United

Gavin James gave Slough the lead on 31 minutes after excellent work by James Dobson.

The winger beat two defenders out wide and found Lee Togwell whose shot was well saved by Ashley Jones. Jones was first to react and fired the ball into the net from inside the six-yard box.

Chesham turned the game on its head with two goals in two minutes after the break.

Former Fulham striker Barry Hayles levelled on 54 minutes when nipping in between Mark Nisbet and Dan Hicks to head in a Ryan Blake cross.

Two minutes later the visitors were in front as Slough could not clear a cross and Dave Pearce raced in to score from close range.

In truth Slough did not do enough to get anything from the match after that, there best chance a Simon Dunn header cleared off the line.

Listen to what Slough joint-boss Neil Baker had to say after the game here with more reaction in the paper on Friday.