DOWNTON'S first game at home for sometime was not what the home fans had bargained for as they lost to visiting Alton 3-0.

Downton started the game missing several key players due to sickness and suspensions.

Several early chances went begging with Shaun Prentice and Aldridge unable to break the deadlock.

A sweet strike after 15 minutes rattled the cross bar from Charlie Cooper to set alarm bell ringing.

Debutant Jakub Lewiarz made a good start between the sticks but there was nothing he could do to stop the Alton striker coolly finishing from Ben Smith's ricochet defensive clearance.

Smith had a chance to equalise just before the half from a corner but narrowly whisked by the post.

The second half started brightly for Downton and again Prentice and Aldridge causing all sorts of problems for the away defence and struck the woodwork three more times.

On 65 minutes a goal kick saw Downton clear the ball for a corner. The result was not what the home side deserved, as a high floated corner went into the net to make it 2-0.

Downton now threw everything at Alton to try and salvage the game and some excellent trickery by Prentice saw him chopped down inside the area.

Smith's penalty was not strong enough to beat the Alton stopper and piled more misery onto the Robins player manager.

Downton's Marcus Savage saw his first time shot crash off the crossbar.

Downton were clearly the better side for most of the second half , but just could not find the net.

The Robins were then undone again as Alton added a third.

Manager Ben Smith said: "This is a day to put behind us for sure, with key players missing and some playing with the flu really made it difficult for us today.

"If I had of converted the penalty and the cracking strikes that hit the woodwork would have gone in then things could have been a hugely different story. But they did not and that’s football so we move on.

This Saturday, Downton are at home to Ringwood

Downton have a vacant position for a club secretary anyone interested please email mark.smith@downtonfc.com