DOWNTON made the short journey across the Forest to play Hythe and Dibden in what turned out to be a very entertaining game.

With several first team regulars unavailable including goalkeeper Nathan Ball the Robins found themselves two down within eight minutes after some suspect goal keeping from stand-in keeper Mark Gulliver.

Downton continued to press looking to get themselves back into the game and pulled one back when Marcus Savage calmly guided one into the net to make the score 2-1.

Captain Shaun Prentice scored to draw level, after a great through ball from Dan Telfer and Nathan Connolly scored to put them in front, but only ninety seconds had passed and Hythe drew themselves level 3-3.

They continued to press and could of found themselves in front if it were not for a couple of great one on one saves from stand-in keeper Mark Gulliver

Just before the half time whistle the inevitable happened and Downton found ourselves 4-3 down.

Five minutes after the break former Downton player Dan Gain guided his header home to give Hythe a two goal advantage. Two minutes later Telfer who made no mistake from 10 yards to make the score 5-4, after Prentice’s shot rebounded off the cross bar and into his path.

Downton equalised yet again after Hythe failed to clear their lines and as veteran striker Declan McGregor slotted home but some poor defending in the 80th minute saw Downton fall behind yet again and a failed clearance left the keeper with no chance when Hythe smashed home what turned out to be the match winner.

The Robins currently sit 10th in the league on 16 points from 11 games.

The final whistle was then blown as the score finished 6-5 to Hythe and Dibden.

Downton are next back in action against 9th place United Services Portsmouth on Saturday, November 4.

Followed by an away trip to 14th place Fawley, on Tuesday, November 7.

The Robins rre currently looking for a club secretary and would like anyone who is interested in the role to contact Mark on mark.smith@downtonfc.com