Hamworthy United 2 Alresford Town 1: ALRESFORD Town missed a golden opportunity to close in on the pack immediately above them on a blustery afternoon in Dorset.

The wind and the pitch – probably the worst the Magpies have played on all season – were factors in this defeat. But defensive uncertainty again proved their real downfall.

The visitors began brightly, dominating the first 20 minutes. And they took the lead after Simon Everett was brought down on the right, earning his opponent a booking.

Brian Howard’s resulting free kick caused panic in the Hamworthy defence, the ball was crossed in again, and Ollie Yates headed the simplest of goals to put Alresford ahead after a quarter of an hour.

After that the Magpies dropped off, not helped by an injury to Sammy Carter – who came off on 30 minutes to be replaced by Grant Young. They weren’t helped, either, by the exertions of Tuesday’s extra time win at Eversley.

Ten minutes from half time, Hamworthy drew level when a wind assisted free kick from the right eluded everyone and Kane Daysh appeared to get the last headed touch.

The home side took the lead five minutes into the second half when the ball was played in behind the Alresford defence to Jack Satterley, and Brad Gale swept it home.

That spurred Alresford into often frantic action in conditions which were difficult to play composed football in. They could have had their reward nine minutes from time when Young won the ball 20 yards out and dinked a lob over the keeper. But as he turned away to celebrate, the ball kicked off the uneven ground and shot up to hit the bar, enabling Hamworthy to scramble it clear.

In a frenetic finish, Alresford had several other half chances, but just couldn’t force the ball home. So it was another defeat, and three more dropped points. The crunch is now approaching for the Magpies.

Four points from their next three home games is probably a minimum requirement if they are to escape relegation’s clutches.