Hitchin Town suffered a dismal bank holiday as they fell to two defeats in the Southern League Premier Division Central.

The second of them will have stung more than the other, a 2-1 loss at Top Field against neighbours Royston Town.

The Canaries had enjoyed by far and away the best of the first half and had gone into the break leading 1-0.

That had come as early as the ninth minute when Brad Bell got his head to cross and forced the ball beyond Louis Chadwick.

Daniel Idiakhoa went close with an effort that flew over wide of the target and it was all home pressure at this point.

However, it was Royston who found themselves scoring next, Matt Bateman getting it from a corner.

And in front of 726, it was the Crows who came out stronger after the break.

And with 14 minutes to go, a long free-kick from Chadwick was flicked on by Adam Murray, allowing Tsagium Guimdo Florian to prod home the winner.

Saturday's game saw them fall to a 2-1 defeat away to Mickleover.

The Derbyshire hosts scored twice in the seven minutes before half-time to maintain their perfect start to the season with five wins from five.

Idiakhoa pulled one back midway through the second period but it was not enough to spark a comeback.

Hitchin are now ninth in the table after six games, one position behind Royston.

Stotfold followed up a 2-2 draw on Saturday at Cirencester Town with a 3-1 loss at home to neighbours Biggleswade Town.

It was their first ever loss at step four after their promotion to Division One Central.

Henry Snee got their only goal which, with 18 minutes to go, pulled Stotfold back to within one goal.

Charles Miller scored five minutes later though to give the Waders the point.

Dan Sears had got both of the Eagles' goals in the Cotswolds.

Stotfold are now down to sixth, outside the play-off positions on goal difference.

Arlesey Town are through to the next round of the FA Vase after a 4-2 win away to Desborough Town.

Aaron Gooch, Joshua Helmore, Will McClelland and Bruno Brito got the goals to send the United Counties League side packing.

The second qualifying round is on September 23 with the Blues at home to Penn & Tylers Green.

Baldock Town enter at that stage with a trip to Tilbury, the Essex side having beaten Clacton 3-2 on penalties on Saturday.

The Reds were enjoying a 4-1 win at home to London Lions at the same time with three of the goals coming from Hitchin Town loanees.

The efforts from Flavius Drescanu, Harry Dollimore and George Devine were added to by one from Jeremiah Frimpong.

Letchworth Eagles bowed out of the Vase with a narrow 2-1 loss to Sawbridgeworth Town, Geovanni Johnson with the consolation.