Hinckley AFC fell to a third consecutive 1-0 defeat as a solitary first-half goal handed Aylestone Park a Leicestershire derby win.
It was a familiar tale for Hinckley who fell behind in the opening 45 minutes, and despite creating enough chances in the second half to have won, they drew a blank in front of goal.
There was little to choose between the sides in the first half before Hinckley came on stronger after the break, but despite a Divin Emmanuel penalty save they couldn’t capitalise to earn a point.
AFC had a sighter inside 30 seconds – Sam Preston’s header back to Lewis Elsom was weak but his goalkeeper raced out to block at Chandler Pegg’s feet.
Hinckley were the brighter early on but there was little goalmouth action at either end until Aylestone gained the upper hand around the mid-point of the half. Emmanuel held Freddie Robinson’s effort at his near post and Alex Dean blocked well from Shaq Master before the hosts took the lead 11 minutes before the break, Tayo Tucker latching onto Louis Samuels’ long ball and finding the back of the net despite Emmanuel getting a good hand to it.
Hinckley came out quickly after the break, but spurned two golden chances to level. Within five minutes of the restart, Zach Tellyn’s cross found Pegg in space eight yards out but his shot was too close to Elsom and the keeper saved.
Aylestone nearly added a spectacular second but Emmanuel tipped wide a halfway line effort from Master on the hour, and four minutes later came Hinckley’s second great chance – Brady Middleton got in behind and squared to Pegg, who looked destined to score but took a touch and tripped on the ball six yards out and the home side scrambled clear.
And Park looked like they’d make the most of that with 12 minutes left. Gabe Webster’s sliding tackle upended Master in the box, Samuels stepped up from the spot but Emmanuel saved to maintain Hinckley’s hopes of a point.
But their biggest chances had gone and debutant Alex Lock’s shot well blocked was as close as they came after that, leaving Hinckley still waiting for their first goal and point of 2026 ahead of the visit of leaders Nuneaton Town to Kirkby Road next week.
Aylestone: Lewis Elsom, Matt Dawson, Charley Kilburn (Cole Turner 53), Sam Preston, Spencer Edwards, Nigel Julien, Corey Armeni, Shaq Master, Tayo Tucker (Luther Munakandafa 68), Louis Samuels (Jake Wormleighton 90), Freddie Robinson (Lynas King 81). Sub not used: Evan Kane.
Goal: Tayo Tucker (34)
Hinckley: Divin Emmanuel, Alex Dean (Lewis Rankin 83), Gabe Webster, Jake Tullin, Jacob Shilton, Lucinee Donzo, Zach Tellyn, Alex Lock, Chandler Pegg (Ashton DeMulder 68), Luke Jones (Zaki Evans 81), Jared Bradshaw (Brady Middleton 46). Sub not used: Reece Massey.
Attendance: 159
