The Black Dogs were beaten 3-0 by one of the favourites for promotion at Aylsham on Saturday – but they will rue several good chances they created in the second half which they were unable to take.

They actually scored what seemed a good goal before the home side went ahead in this well-contested Anglian Combination division one game, but after a lengthy delay the referee controversially cancelled it out for a foul after consulting the home linesman.

But it was another encouraging display against a good side, with the score rather flattering Aylsham.

Young keeper Charlie Cook replaced the unavailable Lewis Riches and he had a promising debut, taking an early strike confidently, and later making a fine one handed save to keep out another shot, shortly after Darrell Wigger had gone close for Bungay.

The Black Dogs thought they had taken the lead in the 17th minute as a cross from Keith Caley caused problems in the home defence and when the ball fell to Callum Cox, he lobbed the keeper from 15 yards.

The players had lined up for the restart before the referee consulted the home linesman, who said he thought his keeper had been fouled, and the goal was ruled out.

It deflated Bungay for a while and Aylsham went ahead six minutes later as Owen Collyer turned in a low cross from close range.

Cox netted again soon after but he was offside. Then he had an effort cleared off the line by a defender after his first effort had been blocked.

The home side were unlucky with a 35-yard shot that came back off the bar with Cook beaten, and put another chance wide, before making it 2-0 in the 39th minute as Jamie George lobbed Cook as he came off his line for an attempted block.

In the second half the home side put an early chance off target before making it 3-0 in the 54th minute as Collyer was again on hand for a tap in from a cross.

After that the Black Dogs created several chances. Substitute Ivan Ivanov crossed from the left to the unmarked Luke Ellis but the keeper blocked his shot. Cook made a similar safe for Bungay.

Ellis got clear down the left and crossed for the unmarked Ben Wilson but again the keeper saved the day, and then just got to a cross before Wigger.

Cook made another great point-blank save as play flowed from end to end, and Ivanov again set up Wilson, whose effort was over the keeper and over the bar.

Then Wilson and Ellis found themselves with only the keeper to beat only for the chance to go begging again. A defender blocked another goalbound shot from Ellis.

Aylsham hit a post in added time and then Lewis Good, on for the injured James Wightman, found Caley with a great ball, and from his cross Ivanov had an overhead strike blocked.

Bungay: C Cook, S Olley, T Miller, J Wightman (L Good), K Cakey, S Dossett, L Metcalfe (B Wilson), J Riches, L Ellis, D Wigger, C Cox (I Ivanov).

On Saturday, Bungay entertain Yelverton at 2.30pm.