TITLE-CHASING Portland United inflicted a heavy 5-0 defeat on Downton FC on Tuesday night.

Ross Carmichael, Ross Doidge, Carl McClements, Ryan McKechnie and Ashley Smith struck for the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division leaders on a chilly night at Grove Road to put them six points clear at the top.

That defeat marked a miserable start to the new year for the Robins, who remain winless in 2016.

They lost out to Craig Stanley's strike on Saturday at the hands of Romsey.

In that game, Downton had enough chances to score, with Paul Gulliver, Craig Tyson and Shaun Prentice all going close with numerous efforts inside and outside of Romsey's penalty area.

But they suffered in the second half with a quick break which resulted in Stanley finishing over the on-rushing Charlie Aldridge.

Boss Colin Hopkins said: "In our past three games we have totally dominated the opposition and gone into half time without scoring or conceding any goals.

"Against Christchurch, the match was abandoned at half time due to floodlight failure and versus Laverstock and Romsey we conceded cheap goals early in the second half and, despite going on to create more chances, failed to score. I am confident if we continue to play the way we have recently, goals will come which at the end of the day is what wins football matches."