Blackstones are beaten by Newark and Sherwood in the United Counties League

Blackstones suffered their third successive United Counties League defeat after a three-goal reversal at home to Newark and Sherwood on Wednesday night.

Stones had gone into the Premier Division North match on the back of a narrow 2-1 home loss to Boston Town last Wednesday night.

That was followed by a 3-1 away defeat at Skegness Town on Saturday.

The hosts hit the front through Declan Johnson after 17 minutes before Lucas Dakin doubled the Lilywhites' lead early in the second half.

Will Bestwick cut the deficit for Stones two minutes later but Skegness sealed their success in the 74th minute through Luke Horne.

Stones welcomed back experienced goalkeeper Simon Dalton for their clash with the Highwaymen and they twice went close in the opening exchanges.

Kofi Gonsalves was thwarted early on by a smart stop from Sherwood goalkeeper Liam Flitton who then denied Josh Barrett.

Stones fell behind just before the half-hour mark when Toby White teed up Scott Floyd to slot home the opening goal.

The visitors then doubled their advantage just after half-time when Floyd headed home a cross from Fin Armond.

Stones skipper Harry Peasgood was then forced into a goalline clearance before the Highwaymen hit their third goal when Luke White fired his finish into the bottom corner of the home net.

Armond went close to adding a fourth with a header which rattled the crossbar while Cameron Rankin created Blackstones' best chance with a shot that went just wide.

The defeat dropped Stones down to ninth spot in the division ahead of Saturday's home match with second-placed Kimberley Miners Welfare.