A LAST-GASP penalty condemned Amesbury Town to a 2-1 defeat as they slipped to sixth in the league standings.

Cowes Sports, whose mini bus broke down on the A303 which delayed kick off by 15 minutes, made the brighter start and took the lead through Gareth Bricknell’s 25-yarded strike.

But Luke Greenway saw the Blues go into the break on level terms after firing home a cross.

Neither side did enough to unlock each other’s defences, but it was Cowes Sports who departed Bonnymead Park with three points via a late penalty.

Allan McPhie brought down Jared Wetherick in the area and, with the referee having no doubt about awarding a penalty, Keelan Sainsbury brushed home the winner.

“It's fair to say that Cowes have been consistent performers in the Wessex League,” Blues boss Gareth Horner said.

“We never really took control of the game in the first half but found ourselves all square at half time following a good goal from Luke Greenway.

“We totally dominated the second half and created numerous clear cut chances but found their keeper in fine form, and to be fair our finishing definitely wasn't at its best.

“To lose to a last minute penalty was hard to take but that's why we all love football, the unexpected.

“On any other day we could have been 5-2 winners against a side who have only conceded against Yate town this year.”

Town play a third successive home game on Saturday, welcoming Romsey Town (3pm).