BURNHAM were unable to register a goal in their 2-0 home defeat against Tuffley Rovers in the Hellenic Premier Division on Saturday.

Despite a diversion onto an alternative route of travel due to a motorway closure, Tuffley kept their performance on course to record a second league win in four days.

Burnham came into the game off the back of a much-needed victory over Lydney Town the previous weekend and welcomed Dan Gibson and Jordan Dowdican back into the starting line-up.

Ziel Browne and Juan David also made their first appearances for The Blues, who have already used 79 different players in 29 games this season.

Tuffley were immediately on the front foot on a difficult frozen surface that might have been declared unplayable on another day, and they took the lead from the most unlikely of sources on 40 minutes.

Courtney Hamilton had been without a goal since March 2015 and has only scored twice in the past four and a half years, but he met a low Sam Hill cross with a neat touch at the front post that went beyond Gibson and into the bottom corner.

Burnham almost levelled the scores on the stroke of half-time with a header from Dowdican going inches wide of the goal.

The visitors resumed their dominance after the break and within seven minutes had extended their advantage.

Alder, whose quick feet and energy had been a major influence throughout the first 45 minutes, drew a challenge from Henry Akinsuyi and referee Edward Hall had no hesitation in awarding a penalty.

Warren Mann netted his fourth penalty of the season, with Gibson guessing correctly but unable to keep the ball out of the net.

Tuffley were then unable to extend their lead but the game took another turn in their favour as Burnham were reduced to 10 men.

Kordian Morawski was dismissed for a second yellow card after a poor challenge on Wright on 89 minutes.

The defeat leaves Burnham second from bottom in the league table ahead of a trip to seventh-placed Brimscombe & Thrupp this Saturday (3pm).

The Blues return to The Gore for the visit of Longlevens on Saturday, December 23 (3pm), before Flackwell Heath make the short journey on Boxing Day (3pm).