SATURDAY saw Downton make the 166 mile round trip to Western premier side Wellington AFC, in Somerset for the first round proper of the FA Vase.

But the Robins lost to a 118th minute penalty as the Somerset side came out 4-3 winners, and advanced to the second round where they will play Sholing FC.

The tail end of Storm Brian made playing conditions interesting to say the least.

Downton played the first half uphill, against the wind and were slower team to settle.

In the first half Wellington had the stronger start, with Downton taking time to get into the game.

The second half saw Downton turn up the pressure and settle into the game. A brace from Shaun Prentice and a header by Dan Savage, saw the final whistle blow at 3-3, taking the game into extra time.

Downton played well from the start and both teams had their chances, however it was Wellington that took their chance and made the most of a penalty awarded two minutes before the final whistle, with the match ending 4-3.

Co-managers Nigel Green and Ben Smith spoke after the game and said: “It took the first half for us to settle into the game, but we were pleased with our performance against a team, one step above us.

“We now need to take that performance forward into our Bournemouth Senior cup game against Poole on Tuesday night.”