WESSEX League Division One leaders Amesbury suffered their first defeat in 12 games as they lost 1-0 at Alton.

Despite the loss they Blues still remain four points clear of second side Hythe and Dibden, while third placed AFC Stoneham are five points behind with two games in hand,

Amesbury went into this fixture with Alton with Tom Plant returning to their line up after three months away and McAulie Stubbs returning from injury replacing Kieran Stephens and Archie Johnson.

The Blues started slow and Alton took the lead on 23 minutes and the visitors struggled for chances and the Alton goalkeeper had a quiet first home.

The second-half started with what Amesbury boss Chris Raymond described as possibly the worst decision you will see all season with a stonewall penalty not given after the Alton defender hacked down Jordan Matthews in the box.

Matthews was then dismissed for something said to the linesmen for not giving the penalty.

Alton continued to come forward and not for Kieran McHardy the score could been worse.

Amesbury had a couple of chances to level, before late on Connor Palmer was sent off for a second yellow for asking the referee to speed up play as Alton was time wasting.

After the game, Raymond said: "I am extremely disappointed in our performance today but the officials were poor from start to finish they missed a hand ball in the first half and most blatant pen you will see all season.

"They ask for respect and bringing in all these new rule changes (sin bin) but they struggle to get the basics right in the first place so how do you expect every player to keep his head when they get so many things wrong."

Next for Amesbury on Tuesday night is a visit from Salisbury in the Hospital Cup and then on Saturday, the Blues will continue their quest for title when East Cowes Vics come to town in a must win game.