By Scott Hatley

THE Clarets were made to pay for failing to convert a plethora of chances in front of goal as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at Maidenhead United.

An error by goalkeeper Tom Lovelock was pounced upon by Tashan Adeyinka to put the home side in front after just 10 minutes.

City went on to create a number of chances in front of goal but only efforts from Lee Sawyer and one from Michael Cheek forced Ashley Timms into action.

Chelmsford continued to create opportunities in the second half but were punished for their profligacy when Dave Tarpey added a second, heading in the rebound from a Danny Green shot.

The result was City’s second away defeat in a row following defeat to Concord Rangers in midweek, and their eighth defeat in their last 10 away trips in league and cup.

It was also the first time since November 17 that City had failed to score in a match, despite creating enough goal scoring chances to win three games.

Coming off the back of their defeat in the Essex derby against Concord, Mark Hawkes made two changes to his starting line up with Jaanai Gordon returning in place of Leon Redwood and Harry Hickford replacing the suspended Mark Haines.

Chelmsford travel to Hemel Hempstead on Saturday in the league.

  • Christian Smith has left the Clarets to join Conference South side Hayes & Yeading.

The midfielder was signed by Dean Holdsworth in 2013 and made 50 appearances for Chelmsford, with 22 of them coming this season.

But he had come off the substitutes’ bench in five of his last six matches and has opted to join the Middlesex side.

“The club would like to wish him an enjoyable and successful period at York Road,” said a club spokesman.

  • Mark Hughes edged out Michael Cheek by a single vote to win City’s January goal of the month competition.

It was the first award of the season for the Clarets skipper with 37 per cent of votes cast favouring his volley against Farnborough.

Cheek was denied his third goal of the season award with his lob against Whitehawk attracting 35 per cent of the vote for second place. Joe Ward’s free-kick against Whitehawk earned him third place with 28 per cent of the vote.