DOWNTON failed to build on Saturday’s valuable point at Horndean after losing on home turf midweek in the last eight minutes at Wick Lane.

The ultimate blow arrived as boss Jeff Softley, pictured below, subbed centre-half Aaron Dunne and consequently they conceded to Folland Sports after Dan Telfer looked to have earned his side a point.

Apologetic Softley, pictured, said of the 2-1 home defeat: “As a manager you make good decisions and ones that cost you, I'm afraid I cost us a valuable point and I apologise to my players who worked so hard. It was a great p e r fo rma n c e against one of the top sides in the division.”

“We deserved a point but I made a decision with eight minutes to go to take off Aaron and it cost us.

“There are so many positives to take, just these things happen, that’s why we are human.”

Telfer was on target at their 1-1 draw with Horndean on Saturday, which Softley described as his side’s best performance of the season.

He added: “We had a decent side out and I thought this was our best performance of the season.”

“I was pleased with a point especially as we have been unlucky not to get anything from our previous three games.”

The Robins travel to Brockenhurst on Saturday (3pm).

Also losing in the Sydenhams Premier on Tuesday night was Bemerton Heath Harlequins, suffering a heavy 5-1 thrashing at home to Alresford Town.

Harlequins did pick up a confidence booster on Saturday, though, in the Wiltshire Senior Cup and the reward is a tie with league rivals Downton.

Tom Roberts’ penalty and Joe Sanger put the Harlequins 2-1 ahead at the interval in the Cotswolds at Wootton Bassett’s temporary ground due to redevelopment works on their facility.

But a late equaliser forced extra time and the odds were against Bemerton as Roberts was dismissed for deliberate hand ball.

But up stepped Graham Mankin to win the tie for Bemerton.

Harlequins have no match this weekend.