DOWNTON suffered their third defeat in four league games as they lost 3-2 at home to Bournemouth Poppies on Saturday.

Scott Joyce put the visitors into an eighth-minute lead, and they doubled it through Elliot Ward in the 21st minute.

Danny Western, on his own up front in the absence of regular strike duo Declan McGregor and Nic Turpin, pulled one back in the 66th minute, making the most of a weak clearance.

Martin Warren restored Bournemouth's two-goal advantage eight minutes later though, and Western had a penalty saved by Nic Jones with four minutes to play.

Former Salisbury City frontman Claudio Herbert, making his debut as a substitute after signing from Frome Town, put the rebound over. There was still time for Matt Holmes to pull one back but it was too little, too late.

“We missed our front two and Joe Dorrington, and were not up to our usual high standards,” said manager Jeff Softley. “We were terrible in the first half and got back into it, but it was too late. Poppies are a good side and deserved to win.”

l The Robins have a Hospital Cup semi-final at home to Pewsey Vale on Thursday, before a top-of-the-table clash at Alresford Town on Saturday. They head to Hayling Utd on Tuesday.

Downton comfortably won 2-0 at Corsham Town in the Wiltshire Senior Cup on Tuesday. Jack Brooks and Western got the goals, setting up a semi-final at Cricklade Town on Tuesday, March 12.