ALTON FC 0,

US PORTSMOUTH 1

INCONSISTENCY again dogged Alton as they lost by a single goal to US Portsmouth in a Sydenhams League Division One mid-table encounter.

Injuries and suspensions forced Alton had to ring the changes and Max Paddon came in from the Reserves to lead an attack that was missing Scott Sanderson and Callum Burch.

The game was scrappy and the result hung on missed chances. The Brewers were certainly guilty of squandering opportunities to put the game to bed, and then conceded the decisive goal.

A physical United Services were lucky to escape a red card soon after the start when Sean Hayes was crudely taken out in midfield.

After a quiet start, chances came thick and fast at both ends. Ben Williams headed over from an Alton free-kick and Michael Dark shot wide when well placed for the Portsmouth side.

Alton’s best opening of the half fell to Danny Knee. Player-manager Mark Corbett played a delightful through-pass inside the full-back for Knee to run on to, but he was unable to keep the ball down and his shot sailed just over the bar.

The half ended with Services on top. Phil Archbold forced Lewis Boughton to save at full stretch and, from the resulting corner, George Callard was alert to clear off the line.

The second half started with more end-to-end attacking play, but again both sides lacked quality in the final third.

Max Paddon got away down the line, but his cross just eluded Corbett at the far post. Paddon went close himself before US started to get back into the game. Lewis Beale and Taylor Watts had shots blocked at either end, and then Alton, crucially, missed their best opening of the game.

Paddon forced a fine diving save and with the goalkeeper still on the ground, Corbett somehow put his follow-up shot over the crossbar.

The miss proved to be costly as, following a foul by Hayes, United Services grabbed the winner. The free-kick was played into the box and only half-cleared to the edge of the box from where Michael Dark fired home through a throng of players.

Knee was having some joy down the wing, but his final ball left something to be desired. As the minutes ticked away, Alton forced the game to no good effect.

Efforts from Paddon and Knee flew wide and Watts was unucky when he latched on to Hayes’ good through-ball and saw his effort deflected for a corner. Hayes shot just the wrong side of the upright as Services packed their defence.

A deeply frustrating game for Alton ended on a sour note when Hayes retaliated after being fouled yet again and was sent off for a second yellow card.

The Brewers have to dust themselves down before the trip to Hythe & Dibden this Saturday.

Alton: Boughton, Callard, Graham, Copplestone, Williams, Colbourne, Knee, Paddon, Corbett, Hayes, Watts. Subs: Cass, Petts (both not used).

• On a brighter note, Alton Reserves reached the fourth round of the Hampshire Intermediate Cup with a 3-2 win over the US Portsmouth Development side. Two goals from Aaron Cresswell and one from Robert Dumitrache saw the Brewers through.