ALTON TN 4, AMESBURY 1

THE value of the 3G pitch at Anstey Park was again evident. Alton Town’s home match was the only Division One fixture to survive the extreme weather and the Brewers took full advantage with a comprehensive defeat of promotion-chasing Amesbury.

It moves Alton up to fifth place as they remain unbeaten at their new home, but Michael Charles’ side will need to improve their away form if they are to seriously pressurise the teams above them. The top four sides all have several games in hand.

Both defences looked strong as a very competitive game got off to a cagey start.

But it was Alton who got the all-important first goal.

An Ashley Peck corner was headed down to Richie Hunter who provided the assist for Declan Shuttleworth to sidefoot home from near the penalty spot.

The Brewers took a slender 1-0 lead into the interval, but doubled it just five minutes into the second half.

Sean Hayes’ free-kick picked out Luke Perkins who headed on for Hunter to score from close range.

Five minutes later, Alton added a third goal to take what seemed an unassailable lead. Perkins’ speed got him to a loose ball inside the box and his toe-poke hit keeper Paddy Creese’s legs and fell nicely for Danny Turner to tap in.

Amesbury were not finished yet, though, and pulled it back to 3-1 on 70 minutes with a superb Matt Cox free-kick from the left that found the top corner, giving Mo Nyamunga no chance.

The visitors then had a lot of the ball and looked to hit Alton on the break. Only two exceptional saves from Nyamunga preserved the two-goal cushion in the late stages.

The Brewers finally put the game to bed when Turner raced 30 yards to a loose ball, neatly rounded Creese and, despite being under pressure from defenders, forced home the much-needed fourth goal.

“Amesbury were one of the best sides we’ve played, but the lads couldn’t be stopped with their quick-flowing football on the new surface,” said manager Charles.

Alton Tn: Nyamunga, Wright, Shuttleworth, Millington, Greenaway, Hayes (Clarke), H Fox, Hunter (Thorn), Perkins (Gray), Peck, Turner. Subs (not used): Allaway, Sanderson.

Alton face a testing trip to sixth-placed Christchurch this Saturday. On Monday, the Brewers will attempt to reach the quarter-finals of the Wessex League Cup when they travel to Premier Division side Team Solent in the third round.