US PORTSMOUTH 1, ALTON FC 1

Alton came away from the Victory Stadium with a creditable draw in their last game of the season on Saturday.

United Services still had a chance of snatching the third promotion place and it was no surprise that they started brightly and put Alton on the back foot.

And the Brewers found themselves behind on just seven minutes. A through-ball left Tom Jeffes with the freedom of the area to give Matt Petts no chance.

This seemed to shake Alton out of their lethargy. A Danny Knee cross just evaded Scott Sanderson and Jack Chandler almost got on the end of an excellent ball from Joe Clarke.

There were further openings at both ends. A fine Alton move involving Max Paddon, Sanderson and Chandler resulted in a corner, from which Ben Williams headed wide.

But the Portsmouth side took their slender lead into half-time and came out forcefully as they sensed a valuable victory. Petts was forced to save twice in quick succession from Jeffes and James Franklyn before the visitors started to get back into the game. But there was more frustration as Chandler’s cross came right through the box with no-one able to get a touch.

Matt Graham, in a rare foray forward, saw his shot fly over and Alton were fortunate not to find themselves two down as Callum Glen broke down the wing and his cross served up a golden chance for Mike Dark who somehow screwed his shot wide of a gaping goal.

The Brewers kept going and Knee headed straight at the keeper from an Adam Allaway cross. Soon after, Clarke had the ball in the net from Paddon’s cross, only for the linesman to signal that the ball had already gone out of play.

Services created several more good chances in their efforts to put the game to bed, but Alton kept them out. Petts saved with his feet and Graham made a vital headed clearance. Petts was then alert to a misdirected header from Simon Wright, while Alton thought they should have had a penalty for handball at the other end.

It wasn’t long before a penalty was awarded, though. Clarke was upended in the box by Alex Andrews and Chandler kept his cool to beat the keeper for the equaliser – deserved reward for Alton’s stubborn resistance.

Even then, Petts had to tip a free-kick over the top. But a worthy point for the Brewers who, for the second week running, put paid to the opposition’s promotion aspirations.

They finish eighth in the Sydenhams League (Wessex) Division One after a solid season – something for manager Mark Corbett to build upon.

Alton: Petts, Hassell, Graham, Allaway, Williams, Wright, Knee, Clarke, Paddon, Chandler, Sanderson. Subs: Hanson (used), Corbett.

• Later, the Alton players enjoyed their end-of-season awards night. Defender Ben Williams won both the Players’ Player and Supporters’ Player of the Year awards. Matt Graham won the Manager’s Player of the Year and Danny Knee took the Golden Boot for his 15 goals.