THREE goals against them in a maddening five minutes scuppered Kendal Town's hope of getting back on the winning trail at Hucknall Town with a 4-3 defeat in their Evo-Stik Premier Division clash on Saturday.

It was only 1-1 at half time after Hucknall went ahead in the 23rd minute through Danwell Francis, who latched on to a ball over the top, capitalising on a midfield mix-up, to score.

Five minutes later, however, Town centre-back and skipper Glen Steel was dragged down in the box and Keiran Walmsley slotted in the resulting penalty to equalise.

Steel planted a header on to the bar from a Walmsley free kick going up to half time, but the sides remained on level pegging at the break.

Hucknall took a grip with their goal rush, starting in the 54th minute when Dean Gent fastened on to a through ball and beat keeper David Newnes.

Just 90 seconds later, Anthony Griffiths junior received the ball 35 yards out and lashed in an unstoppable shot which went in off the woodwork.

It became 4-1 three minutes on when Griffiths turned supplier for Tris Whitman to head home at the back post.

Kendal left their fightback late as Shaun Gardner broke through and rounded the keeper to make it 4-2.

In stoppage time, Walmsley fired in a tradmark 20-yard free kick to offer a slight outside chance of snatching a draw.

One more chance came Town's way but Danny Rowe blazed his shot following Walmsley's corner high and wide.