Alton Town 1, Downton 2

Alton’s poor start to the new year continued as two second-half penalties gave Downton all three points and condemned the Brewers to a fifth straight defeat since the turn of the year.

As befitting sides only separated in the top half of Division One by goal difference the game was fairly even throughout.

Alton started the brighter of the two sides and forced a corner in the first minute that was cleared.

At the other end, Downton’s Steer and Moseley combined and the latter’s shot was blocked by Harvey Tanner, before Callum Burch got down the right for the Brewers but, unfortunalty for Alton, there was no-one at the near post to attack the cross.

Steve Black then produced a fine cross to the far post where Taylor Watts headed the ball back into the danger area, but Downton cleared the danger.

Downton countered and Matt Petts was forced into a save at his near post as Clarke beat Matt Graham and shot from the right corner of the penalty area. Brewers striker Bunyan was then fouled on the edge of the penalty area, but Jack Chandler’s free kick was tame and failed to trouble Edmonds in the Downton goal.

As the game continued to flow from end to end, Bunyan flicked on and Liam Dance got back to clear as Luke Whiddett was about to shoot. Max Smith and Watts then combined but could only force a corner that came to nothing, before Downton broke two on one and Smith somehow managed to get back and intercept the cross.

But Alton’s pressure finally told on 27 minutes when once again Burch got down the wing and his cross to the far side was controlled by Watts whose left-footed shot gave Edmonds no chance.

Eager to get back in the game, Downton had a free kick which Petts came for and punched away.

But Alton were now on the front foot and a Whiddett through ball found Matt Bunyan, but the ball was cleared before he could get it under control.

Downton had another free kick 25 yards out but McGregor shot high and wide before Alton forced a short corner but Bunyan shot wide.

Max Smith played a lobbed through ball and Bunyan lobbed the keeper but sent the ball agonisingly wide as the Brewers chased a second goal before the interval.

And how they would have loved the cushion of a second goal as Downton equalised early in the second half when Moseley got the wrong side of Mark Taylor in the box and went down under his challenge, leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot. And although Petts guessed right he was unable to get a hand to Moseley’s spot kick.

The game then became a dour midfield battle with chances few and far between, with Alton forcing a corner which was half cleared to Matt Graham. His shot was deflected by Steve Black toward goal but just the wrong side of the post with Edmonds stranded.

Both Watts and Bunyan then had crosses blocked before two penalty decisions in a minute decided the game.

Burch got the ball on the left wing and dribbled into the box where he was seemingly brought down by Stott, but the referee waved play on.

And from the ensuing play Alton failed to deal with the ball on the halfway line and Romero ran through on goal. As he got into the box he went down under a challenge from Tanner and the referee awarded the penalty. Moseley again stepped up and this time gave Petts no chance to give Downton a 2-1 lead.

Feeling hard done by, Alton huffed and puffed trying to get the equaliser – and they almost snatched one as Burch’s ball across the six-yard box just evaded Liam Knight at the far post.

On Saturday, Alton travel to the Isle of Wight to play East Cowes Vics in Division One of the Sydenhams Wessex League (kick-off 3pm).

Alton Town: Petts, Chandler, Graham, Smith, Tanner, Taylor, Burch, Black, Whiddett, Bunyan, Watts. Subs: Thomas, Knight, Jackson, Corbett, Muir.