AFC Portchester's poor form continues... Horndean 'not at their best' but beat Alresford Town

It was a third successive defeat for the ambitious Royals, leaving them 12 points adrift of the leaders Fareham Town in seventh spot.

The first chance fell to the Yachtsmen and Royals' goalkeeper Cameron Scott was pleased to see a shot from the edge of the area fly just over the crossbar.

Portchester had a chance of their own on 14 minutes as Barry Mason released Lee Wort but the prolific striker fired straight at the home goalkeeper.

Questions were being asked of the home defence as the Royals looked increasingly threatening, launching a series of crosses into the area.

A flurry of chances came and went as Mick Catlin's men could not find the breakthrough.

On 33 minutes, Toby Adekunle brilliantly turned his defender inside the area before flashing his shot just past the post.

They went even closer five minutes later when Rob Evans cut inside superbly and fired a shot which cannoned back off the near post.

But the Yachtsmen stunned the visitors with a goal at the start of the second half.

A quick move saw Cowes drive forward and Jez Conway placed his shot past Scott to make it 1-0.

It was a big blow for the Royals who were looking to bounce back from their defeat at Lymington Town at the weekend.

They were fortunate not to fall further behind just after the hour when a powerful shot struck the upright.

Tensions rose in the final minutes and a scuffle broke out on the pitch with each team seeing a player booked when things finally calmed down.

A frustrating evening was then capped with Cowes added a second in stoppage-time.

n Fourth-placed Horndean maintained the pressure on the top three with a comfortable 3-0 win at Alresford Town.

Captain Ash Howes, back after a one-match suspension, gave the visitors the lead two minutes before half-time, converting a cross from Ben Anderson.

Harry Jackson was quickest to react after Ben Anderson's free-kick was parried by the goalkeeper, firing home the rebound.

It was then left to Conor Duffin to seal the win from the penalty spot after being brought down in the area.

‘It was a good win, although we weren't at our best,’ said Horndean manager Michael Birmingham.

‘The important thing is that we got the job done and came away unscathed.’