Burnham suffered only their second league defeat of the season on Saturday. Photo credit: Paul Butler/Burnham FC

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Burnham have been replaced by Ardley United at the top of the Combined Counties Premier Division North after the Blues were beaten 2-0 by Reading City on Saturday.

Burnham’s fine start to the season under Mo and Omz Bakali has had the gloss taken off it this week by Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at Penn & Tylers Green and Saturday’s disappointing setback at Rivermoor.

It was only their second league defeat in 11 matches so far this season.

The result, combined with Ardley United’s convincing 4-0 home win over bottom of the table Holyport means they move back to the summit by a point with a game in hand over Burnham.

City took the lead six minutes before the break on Saturday, Joel Valentin firing home to make it 1-0. That’s how things remained in an even contest before Henry Paxford scored Reading’s second goal with 10 minutes to play plus stoppage time.

The result was good enough to move Reading City into the play-off places at this early juncture of the season.

Burnham return to the 1878 Stadium on Saturday when they host Easington Sports.

The Blues have won four of their five league matches at home this season, slipping up only to Amersham Town in early August.

The Bakali brothers would have been hoping for a favour from near neighbours Holyport on Saturday, but Port were powerless to prevent Ardley from easing to another league victory.

Bottom of the table Port have now managed to pick up just two points from their first nine league matches and are yet to post a league win.

Saturday proved to be relatively straightforward for the home side with former Marlow and Flackwell Heath striker Marcus Mealing scoring twice in the 4-0 win.

Mealing fired Ardley in front in the 31st minute and goals from Mo Ihid in the 32nd and Mealing again in the 64th minute made the game safe before Harry Thomas added a fourth late on.

Holyport already look to be in for a tough season, though they remain only two points from safety. They visit 15th placed Thatcham Town on Saturday.