KNUTSFORD FC are leaving the best decade in their history behind.

Having won 21 trophies since 2010, they were hoping to sign off the year in style when Broadheath Central – the Cheshire Football League Premier Division’s bottom club – visited Manchester Road on Saturday.

However, that proved too much as Reds entered 2020 with a whimper following a 2-1 defeat.

With only four league wins this season, Knutsford will hope the new year brings better fortunes.

They had most of the play in the first half on Saturday, but they struggled to create opportunities as a run of a month without a game was starting to show.

Broadheath keeper Matthew Nealen had to be alert to keep out efforts from Ebrahim Rezayan and Joel Wilbraham, but it was a poor first half all in all.

Reds continued to control proceedings after the break, but fell behind to a sucker punch with just 20 minutes remaining

A poor clearance from Rob Spilsbury gifted the ball to James Phillips and he scooped his shot over Reds keeper Steve Dryden to give Broadheath an unlikely lead.

Knutsford now had a mountain to climb, and their task got even more perilous when Gaz Steele reacted quickest to a near-post cross to poach Broadheath’s second goal.

The hosts’ response was immediate as top scorer George Riley’s free kick found the net via a slight deflection to set up a tense finish.

However, the expected Knutsford push never really materialised and it was Broadheath who left with a priceless victory.

Reds’ first game of 2020 sees them travel to Whaley Bridge on Saturday, kick off 2pm.

Knutsford: Dryden, Wilbraham, Kirby, Maunder, Mountney, Rezayan, Evans, Riley, Wynne (Spilsbury) Thompson, Cartner (Jenyons) Sub not used: Sutherland