Pete Davies missed Walden's best chance against Fakenham.

THE BLOODS’ need for a striker is becoming more and more desperate following a shock loss to Fakenham on Saturday.

Walden were made to pay for not converting their chances against a team they comfortably beat earlier in the year as Ryan Pearson scored an 87th minute penalty to seal all three points for the visitors.

Speaking after the game, Colin Wallington said he was left with a “sick” feeling.

“We didn’t deserve to lose that game and Fakenham didn’t deserve to win it – they know that,” he told the Reporter.

“But we didn’t put the ball in the net. We weren’t good enough up front – we had three one-on-ones and we didn’t score any of them. Having said that, I thought we played well. We were down to the bare bones but the players gave me 100 per cent – I couldn’t ask for much more.”

With new signing Dan Cann unavailable and Steve Leys and Brad Green also out, Walden were forced to partner Peter Davies up front with Nathan Cox, playing his first game of the season.

All the early pressure came from the hosts as Stephen Good and Stuart Wardley forced saves from Lee Brooks. Fakenham chipped in with a chance of their own, Pearson flashing the ball across the face of the goal, but it was Walden who looked the more likely to open the scoring.

On the stroke of half time Davies looked certain to score after Lee Owen put him through one-on-one with the keeper but he fluffed his lines, putting the ball well wide.

The most significant moment in the game for Walden came in the 70th minute. Alex Riches was injured and replaced by James Crane as Good took the centre back’s place.

The reshuffle proved costly as a melee in the Walden box saw the referee point to the spot and Pearson blast the ball into the top corner. The hosts tried in vain to carve out another chance but the final whistle blew, bringing a frustrating performance to an end.

Walden will look to get back on track with an away win on Saturday against Great Yarmouth, KO 3pm.