POOLE 5, ALTON 1

ALTON arrived in Dorset hoping to increase the gap between the two mid-table sides, only to concede five goals in a frustrating defeat – their third in four matches in Hampshire Division Two.

A poor opening 10 minutes immediately put Alton on the back foot and Poole scored three times in rapid succession to leave the visitors reeling.

However, Alton began to pull themselves together and good runs by wingers Richard Spicer and Pete Howland troubled the Poole defence. Scott Reading came close at a short corner, but it stayed 3-0 at the break.

Alton took their improved form into the second half and their sustained pressure eventually paid off. A short-corner move broke down, but Pete Harvey managed to gather the ball and fire home on the reverse stick.

The Poole defence held firm as Alton again flooded forward. Then the visitors were caught too high up the pitch and Poole exploited a gap behind the defence to score their fourth.

Just to rub salt into Alton’s wounds, Poole were awarded a debatable penalty flick after a collision between keeper Lawrence Jones and a striker and Poole duly added their fifth goal.

Alton host Bournemouth III this week.