DOWNTON 3, ALTON 2

FOLLOWING back-to-back victories in the Sydenhams League Division One, Alton were forced by injuries and unavailability to make five changes to the side which travelled to Downton on Saturday.

It turned out not to be Alton’s day as two deflected shots and a missed penalty contributed to their defeat by the odd goal in five.

Downton took the lead after only two minutes when a shot from Matt Cox hit an Alton defender and deflected over Kallum Lunn in the Alton goal.

This setback spurred Alton into life and Scott Sanderson equalised on ten minutes with his third goal in two games, heading Ryan Ayling’s cross past Charles Aldridge in the Downton goal.

The game moved back and forth without too many chances before poor Alton defending allowed a cross to reach Cox who snapped up his second goal to restore Downton’s lead.

But the lead lasted just six minutes. Ayling picked up the ball just inside the home half and with the defence going backwards, eventually placed his shot over Aldridge for a second equaliser.

Three minutes later, Downton were back in front when a deflected shot fell kindly for Shaun Prentice who only needed to slide the ball under Lunn for a half-time lead.

Clive Ventham must have said something positive at the interval because Alton came out with more purpose as they pressed for another equaliser.

It was by no means one-way traffic and Lunn was called on to make two really good saves to keep Alton in touching distance.

The Brewers got their chance to save the match on 85 minutes when Adam Flint was adjudged to have fouled Ayling in the box and the referee pointed to the spot.

But it was not to be. Kurt Greenaway’s spot kick was saved by Aldridge and so a fruitless trip it turned out to be for Alton.

This Saturday, Alton make the long journey into Dorset to play Weymouth Reserves.

Alton: Lunn, Green, Way, Hitch, Gill, Salmon, Burch, Greenaway, Ayling, Sanderson, Lenachan. Sub: Graham.