Deeping Rangers lose to Sleaford Town in the United Counties League

Axing their manager failed to change the fortunes of Deeping Rangers on Saturday.

The Clarets parted company with Johnny Alflatt last week after a poor start to their United Counties League Premier Division North campaign.

However, they fell to their fifth successive league loss on Saturday with a 4-0 away defeat at Sleaford Town leaving the Clarets rooted to the foot of the table.

They had needed a superb goalline clearance from Ben Smith to deny Sleaford taking an early lead following a Fin Armond shot.

Rangers responded with a Liam Hook free-kick hitting the post before Clarets custodian Tyler Key made a fantastic double save to firstly thwart Joe Smith and then Armond's follow-up.

Sleaford took the lead just before the half-hour mark when Key was left helpless after a shot by Greens player-boss Tom Ward took a huge deflection to beat the visiting goalkeeper.

The home side's lead was then doubled late in the first half as ex-Deeping striker Tom Waumsley found Josh Parker who set up Smith to fire home the second goal.

Deeping came close to reducing the arrears six minutes after the restart when Jonny Lockie hit the post after a fine move.

However, any hopes of a Deeping comeback were dashed just before the hour mark when Matt Sparrow brought down Jake Henderson in the area and Smith scored his second goal of the game from the penalty spot.

The win was wrapped up six minutes later by Sleaford substitute Billy Gillies who volleyed home from the edge of the area following Ward's long throw.

Rangers then brought on both Sam Mulready and Paulius Falcao with the former going close with a header at the far post.

Gilless sent another effort just wide of the Deeping goal before he fired into the side-netting after rounding goalkeeper Key.

Falcao was foiled by a brave save from home goalkeeper Jonasz Gadomski before Mulready headed wide late on from Ryan Lennon's cross as defeated Deeping were unable to find a consolation.