Martin Tuohy missed from the penalty spot in Hornchurch's loss to Maidenhead (Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO)

Hornchurch 0 Maidenhead 2

Urchins slipped into the Conference South relegation zone after Martin Tuohy missed a penalty and Maidenhead netted a spot-kick of their own at the other end.

A bright start counted for nothing for Jimmy McFarlane’s men, who conceded from two set-pieces – a direct free-kick and a penalty.

Tuohy missed a golden chance to bring his side back into the game when Maidenhead keeper Billy Lumley dived low to his right to keep out his spot-kick just after the hour mark.

It meant a seventh league game without a win for Urchins, since beating Essex rivals Billericay just after Christmas.

But such is the tight nature of the division, they are only six points off ninth place.

McFarlane made one change from last weekend’s draw with Sutton as Wayne Gray, who salvaged a point with a late equaliser, started in place of the injured Reiss Noel, meaning Lewis Smith started slightly deeper in a tactical switch.

Winger Michael Spencer missed a gilt-edged chance to give the home side the lead, blazing over from point blank range, before mid-table Maidenhead took the lead after 20 minutes.

The impressive Alex Wall drew a foul from Tambeson Eyong right on the edge of the penalty area and the striker picked himself up to fire the free-kick powerfully into the net.

The goal knocked the stuffing out of the home side and only poor finishing from Wall and former Urchin Joe Tabiri saved them from further punishment.

Hornchurch finished the first half strongly, though, as Smith drew an excellent save from Lumley after a jinking run and on the stroke of half-time, Gray smacked the post after another slalom from Smith.

Urchins were looking to start the second period as they had finished the first, but were dealt a killer blow six minutes after the break.

Tuohy needlessly handled a mishit shot from Wall and Bobby Behzadi made no mistake from the penalty spot to double the Maidenhead lead.

McFarlane sent on super-sub Leon McKenzie and he had an instant impact as his cross towards Tuohy saw the striker fouled and referee Alan Young pointed to the spot for the second time in a little over ten minutes.

But nominated penalty taker Tuohy was thwarted by Lumley and Urchins never threatened to get back into the contest in the remaining half hour as the game went flat.

A win for Staines at bottom club Truro lifted them above Hornchurch, who are third bottom, making next weekend’s home meeting with the west London club a proverbial ‘six-pointer’.

But first McFarlane will be hoping for a reversal of fortunes when his side visit Tonbridge on Tuesday.

Hornchurch’s trip to Dover on February 26 has been postponed as they will now travel to Waltham Abbey for their Essex Senior Cup semi-final tie.

Hornchurch: Woolley, Love (Coyne 62), Goodacre, Eyong, Bentley, Tomlinson (May 72), Curley, Spencer, Smith, Tuohy, Gray (McKenzie 62). Subs not used: Glover, Bourne.