AMESBURY'S miserable season continued with a narrow 2-1 defeat to high-flying visiting Lymington Town in the Wessex League Premier Division.

The difference in league positions was not that obvious on the pitch with Amesbury having the better chances in a close first half and only a couple of clinical finishes in the second easing the visitors ahead.

Amesbury clawed a goal back in added time, but it was too late to salvage a point.

On the quarter hour, a long ball found Jordan Matthews whose shot was saved by the legs of visiting goalkeeper Ross Casey, it rebounded to Cameron Roach, whose shot was blocked on the line by Stephen Walker.

Lymington Town’s Sam House forced Paddy Creese to tip over mid way through the first half, which was the only time in the half that they tested the home goalkeeper.

Amesbury continued to have the better chances and on the half hour mark Connor Millar brilliantly set up Roach who controlled well but then shot weakly at Casey.

Just before half time Kieran Stephens put a ball into the box Ben Beckles, making his debut along with midfielder Jack Roberts, touched the ball just wide.

Lymington took the lead with a crackling effort with just six minutes gone in the second half.

Ross Bottomley set up House on the edge of the box, he cut inside and curled his shot into the top corner.

Amesbury tried hard to get back in the match but other than a Stephens' shot which flashed wide and a Roach shot from outside the box which Casey tipped over the bar, they were unable to make an impression on the visiting defence.

Lymington’s superior fitness began to tell late on and with three minutes remaining Tom Man forced Creese to save with his feet whilst Owen Fear just cleared the bar with a free kick on the edge of the area.

The second goal came on the 90 minute mark, when a deep cross from the left was headed home by Jack Odam giving Creese no chance.

Two minutes into added time, Kieran Stephens' free-kick on the left was touched on by Liam Gavin and crept into the corner for what turned out to be a consolation goal.

Amesbury this weekend are on their travels to Fareham in the league, before entertaining Andover a quarter final tie in the Salisbury Hospital Cup.