Saturday saw a vastly improved performance, with the Robins inspired by the return of midfield maestro Cooksley, who missed the previous two games due to work commitments.

Cooksley, who was to earn the player-of-the-match award, struck a superb shot from distance midway through the first half. It was the 31-year-old's second goal since moving to Bottom Meadow from last season's champions Farnham.

Another team change saw Gio Clarke, who had made his debut in the 1-0 defeat at Poole a week earlier, replace fellow new signing Kie Plumley, who had played against Hanworth. The 20-year-old Clarke, who was with Annan Athletic in Scottish League 2 last year, had an excellent game as Town kept a clean sheet in the league for only the second time this season.

The arrivals of Clarke, on a dual registration with Lewes, and Plumley, who only returned to Ascot United from Gosport Borough last month, mean the Robins have fielded five different goalkeepers this season, following Myles Bowman, Zaki Qualah and Charlie Patmore.

During the same period, four different players have captained the side. The first was Anthony Cheshire, who returned to the squad on Saturday after a spell at Combined Counties League club Ashford Town, where he gained valuable match minutes while recovering from injury.

Cooksley was then given the role, only to lose it to CJ Fearn, but he missed Saturday's game due to injury, leaving Adam Liddle to take over the captain's armband.

With several players coming in and going out in recent weeks, the Robins have struggled to gel together and, as a result, lacked consistency. And it must be time for Hopkins to find a settled side and give them an extended run.

They played particularly well against a Chichester side that had won three league and cup games in a row, scoring 12 goals in the process.

The only disappointment at Bottom Meadow was that the attendance of 334 was the lowest this season, 68 fewer than the Hanwell game. No doubt some fans decided to give the game a miss following last Tuesday's sub-standard performance.

Sam Sesay headed Hanworth into a 39th-minute lead, but Jamal Sharpe equalised in the opening minute of the second half.

However, Mike Harding restored the visitors' lead in the 49th minute, with further goals coming from two former Bracknell players, Gio McGregor and Haydon Vaughan.

It was their first home league defeat of the season, and a bitterly disappointed Adam Hopkins pulled no punches after the game.

"We lacked desire, commitment, dedication," the manager said.

"I told the players this is not what Bracknell Town do. I expect a team to turn up, fight for the badge, and fight for the fans.

"We had been very good over the last few games and worked really hard getting the desire, work rate and commitment, but tonight we didn't show any of that. We were humbled by a very good side who outworked us and outfought us."

Hopkins must have been delighted with the response on Saturday and was hoping for something similar at Taunton last night (Tuesday). Town are without a league fixture this Saturday and host Gosport Borough next Tuesday (27th). Borough drew 1-1 at Bottom Meadow last month, with Rafa Ramos' 55th-minute opener being cancelled out six minutes later by Billy Bodin.

Bracknell's home fixture against Chertsey, postponed on October 3, has been rearranged for Tuesday, November 3.