Ardley United’s wretched run continued as they slumped to their third Premier Division defeat in a row following a 2-0 home loss to Thame United on Bank Holiday Monday.

It followed Saturday’s surprise 1-0 reverse at Thatcham Town and means they have failed to find the net in any of those matches.

Thame were gifted an early chance to open their account.

Tommy Kinch’s backpass was woefully short, but keeper Jack Harding pushed Conor McDonagh’s well-struck shot around a post.

Despite this, Ardley, who were without strikers Troy Bryan and Danny Bone for the second game in a row, had the better possession for the rest of the half, though they failed to trouble the Thame goalkeeper Josh Cockerill.

So it was no surprise when the visitors took the lead.

A mix-up between Harding and Darren Beckett allowed Luke Ricketts to nip in and head into an empty net.

After the break, neither side looked likely to score and it was another mistake at the back that allowed the visitors to seal victory when Matt Hall converted after robbing a defender.

After withstanding some strong Thatcham pressure, the visitors started to take control, though they were unable to cause Chris Rockley any problems in the home goal.

The game followed a similare pattern in the second half, before the hosts grabbed the winner on 52 minutes. A corner found Paul Taplin who headed home.

Ardley tried to get back into the contest, but to no avail.

Ardley will have to wait to see who they host in the FA Cup preliminary round.

They will entertain the winners of the Hartley Wintney v Frimley Green extra preliminary round tie, which goes ahead this Saturday after the original game was abandoned at half-time due to fighting in the dressing rooms.

An FA hearing into the incident decided that no disciplinary action should be taken against either club.

Should Saturday’s tie produce a result, then Ardley will stage the match this Tuesday.