INCONSISTENT Amesbury Town suffered a 3-2 home defeat against ten-man AFC Portchester in Sydenhams Wessex Premier on Saturday.
The Royals, who have moved up to third in the table, made an excellent start by taking a fourth-minute lead.
Alex Baldacchino picked out Tony Easter with a good through ball and the latter finished well.
The home side soon levelled when Adam Pearson prodded home Paul Coventry's cross.
But Josh Warren made sure the visitors went into the break ahead when he scrambled the ball home following a corner.
That came moments before Joe Noakes was given his marching orders after picking up a second yellow card, his third sending off of the term.
After the break, a foul by Tom Cain allowed Amesbury to level from the penalty spot, which Coventry duly dispatched.
However, 12 minutes from time Thomas Cain grabbed the winner for the visitors, who are managed by ex-Arsenal ace Graham Rix.
Blues Boss Jim Macey said: "It was a game we definitely missed out on points again. Not taking our chances cost us and when they went down to 10 men it seemed to make them want it more but I'm disappointed not to get something from the game."
Amesbury are at Bonnymead Park again on Saturday when they host Macey's old club Whitchurch United (3pm).
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