Kettering Town 1 Curzon Ashton 2 - Jon Dunham's report from Latimer Park

The alarm bells might not be ringing in the ears just yet but they can certainly be heard out in the distance after Kettering Town slipped to a 2-1 defeat to Curzon Ashton at Latimer Park.

In treacherous conditions, the same problems struck for the Poppies as they were condemned to a third defeat in a row and a fourth in five Vanarama National League North matches so far this season.

Those problems are fairly simple to identify. They are struggling to score goals - there is a real lack of a threat in the final third - and there is one too many mistakes in them when defending their own goal.

It’s a combination that is giving manager Paul Cox a major headache in the early stages of a season that, quite clearly, is going to be like no other.

While it could be pointed out that the Poppies had lost to the likes of AFC Fylde, Gloucester City and Southport who have all made good starts, this was a game that could and should have delivered more. In the end, Kettering were found wanting.

It wasn’t easy for either side with the Latimer Park pitch offering its usual challenges in the autumn and winter months while a strong wind swept across the ground all afternoon.

But it was Curzon who, over the 90 minutes, adapted the better.

Adam Collin was called into early action when he helped Darren Stephenson’s shot over the crossbar but it was Kettering who opened the scoring after just seven minutes.

And it was as simple as it gets as Ben Milnes whipped in a corner from the left and Connor Kennedy’s header was too powerful for Cameron Mason who got a hand to it before it found the net.

But that was the last time Mason was seriously tested in the opening period as Curzon hauled themselves back into the contest.

They looked a threat whenever they went forward with the impressive Stephenson and the experienced Dominic Knowles making up a useful combination in attack.

Knowles was denied by a fine block from Collin after Connor Hughes’ cross found its way to him and he the striker saw another effort deflected over the bar after a fine last-ditch challenge.

But Curzon got the equaliser they deserved on 26 minutes when Stephenson’s long-range effort was saved by Collin but Knowles pounced in predatory fashion to pick up the pieces.

Things descended into a bit of a scrap after that but Poppies boss Cox clearly wasn’t happy as he changed formation at the break and threw on both Michael Richens and Josh Oyinsan.

The Poppies went close to retaking the lead when Sam Jones saw a shot deflected into the side netting after a driving run into the box and then, from the resulting corner, Jones met it with a header which was hacked off the line.

Chances were proving to be few and far between but when Curzon’s arrived, they seized it with 20 minutes to go.

A long throw was taken down by Stephenson in the box. He spun his marker and then skipped past a couple of weak challenges before firing past a helpless Collin. The finish was emphatic, the defending was dreadful.

Hughes shot wide from a good position after Kettering failed to defend another long throw and a tough task became almost impossible when Milnes was sent-off for a second bookable offence as he pulled back substitute Jude Oyibo having already been cautioned for a foul in the first half.

In fairness, Kettering gave it a go and Oyinsan so nearly levelled things up when his header from Michael McGrath’s cross was inches wide of the target.

Craig Mahon clipped the crossbar with a good strike at the other end but Curzon saw things out to secure the points.

The Poppies They certainly need to cut out the mistakes they’re making defensively, they are being punished for them.

But it’s at the top end of the pitch where work needs to be done. They are offering little in the final third at the present time and Curzon’s combination of Knowles and Stephenson proved to be one of the key differences on this day.

It’s way too early to be writing anyone off but Cox and his players have some serious work to do...

Poppies: Collin; Stohrer, Fryatt (sub Scott, 77 mins), Graham, McGrath; Milnes, Kennedy; Stephens (sub Richens, h-t), Jones, Sheriff (sub Oyinsan, h-t); Bickley. Subs not used: Acquaye, Wilson.

Curzon Ashton: Mason; Mahon, Tharme, Turnbull, Stokes, Waters; Walker, Hughes, Curran (sub Oyibo, 75 mins); Stephenson, Knowles. Subs not used: McPartlan, Hanson, Southern, Merrill.

Referee: Jon Kenny.

Goals: Kennedy (7 mins, 1-0), Knowles (26 mins, 1-1), Stephenson (70 mins, 1-2).

Bookings: Milnes, Jones, Knowles (all fouls).

Sending-off: Milnes (second bookable offence).

Northants Telegraph man-of-the-match: Connor Kennedy - on a day when there was little to cheer about, the commitment of the swashbuckling midfielder couldn’t be questioned. He gave his team the lead with a good header and was always up for the battle in the middle of the pitch when some weren’t.