COMPLACENT Amesbury Town dropped to fourth place in the league standings after suffering a rare fifth defeat of the campaign.

The Blues weathered the storm at Fleet Spurs until they conceded twice in quick succession before the break.

Sam Knowles’ spot kick followed up by Jordan Gibbs’s goal left the visitors chasing the game.

Danny Finnigan pulled one back directly after the resumption through Cameron Roach’s cross and after the hour mark Eddie Perrett restored parity.

However, Amesbury paid the penalty for slipping off the pace and conceded two late goals to Ben Clisby and Tom Slane as they succumbed to a 4-2 defeat.

Boss Gareth Horner said: “Without a doubt, complacency played its part.”

“I spoke to the players about what a difficult place fleet was on a wet Saturday afternoon and that we would need to be at our best.

“Unfortunately, we we’re carried through the game by 18-year-old Cameron Roach who was outstanding and that’s a big ask for a young lad.

“For the first 45 minutes we just never seemed to get going and a few lapses in concentration meant we went in 2-0 at the break. It’s fair to say they got what they deserved at half time but as I said to them I still believed we would go on to win the game.

“We scored very early in the second half and got the equaliser but as soon as that happened we got very complacent again and just expected us to go on and win the game.

“Unfortunately you have to earn that right!”

The defeat, coupled with the leaders winning, means Team Solent are ten points ahead of Amesbury at the summit of Wessex Division One but they could reduce that gap to four points, subject to whether they win their two games in hand, one of which was last played last night.

Horner believes his side are still in the title race.

He added: “For sure it was difficult to take but we are still in and amongst it, but the result gives us very little room for error now.”

“If any side has the ability to go on and win ten games on the spin, it’s us!

And with a few players returning why not! It’s a long old season and I’m sure there will be a few twists and turns to come.”

The club are still seeking a chairman for next season.

Anyone wishing to fill Jason Cameron’s role should email amesburytownfc@gmail.com.