Kings Langley slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat at play-off contenders Welwyn Garden City in conditions that made any attempt at free-flowing football nigh on impossible.

A goal from Nick Ralfe two minutes before the break ultimately proved decisive in Saturday’s Southern League Division One Central encounter, with another narrow loss leaving Jordan Parkes’ side 15th in the table.

Kings featured five of their table-topping Under-18 side in their matchday squad and gave a first start to Finn Filler and debutant Benji Kakembo, signed from Tring Athletic.

It was Filler who was first to make his mark, making rapid progress down the right before unleashing a fierce drive which flashed just wide.

Almost immediately the youngster got on the end of a piercing run and cross by Bentley Assiedou, but his snap-shot was well saved by Joe Welch.

Welwyn responded with a darting run and cross by Eddie Corbit which Charne Lemba, who was commanding throughout, blocked at the expense of a corner.

Back came Kings with Filler again to the fore, latching on to a precise through ball by Lemba, but again Welch was equal to it.

The close call galvanised the hosts into a period of attacking momentum which generated a flurry of corners which, for the most part, Kings defended well. But the final one of the half proved costly for the visitors when it was only half cleared and Charlie McDonald, with his back to goal, cleverly backheeled into the path of fellow St Albans City loanee Ralfe, who squeezed a low shot home from a narrow angle to give the home side the advantage at the break.

The second period started in worsening conditions and it was credit to both sets of players that they continued to make it a decent spectacle.

The hosts, keen to press home their advantage, made the early running and Ralfe almost grabbed a second when his snap-shot hit a post, but Kings, generally, were defending well and remained a regular threat on the counter, with debutant Kakembo a willing outlet for their attacks.

Kings rang the changes, bringing on the double strike force of Lance Williams and teenage striker George Cain and both featured in some promising build-ups as the away side strived for parity.

Their commitment to going forward inevitably left gaps for the hosts to exploit and Lewis Jones should have doubled the advantage when clear in the box, but his finish lacked conviction and Adi Connolly gathered easily.

Buoyed by that let off, Kings surged forward, only for a promising attack to be abruptly impeded just outside the box at the expense of a free-kick. James Towell took responsibility and drilled a fierce shot towards the top corner which somehow Welch clung on to.

That was to be Kings’ last significant attempt on goal as the home side looked to preserve their hard won advantage.

They saw out the remaining minutes without further anxiety to condemn their opponents to a frustrating defeat in a game where they were in contention throughout.