BOTTOM of the pile Whitchurch United plunged Downton back into danger with a well-deserved win at Wick Lane.

The Robins' third consecutive defeat comes after an impressive run that looked to have hauled them clear of the basement dwellers.

Gary Blenkarn claimed a hat-trick for the visitors and Paul Roffey got the other, with Neal Archer netting Downton's consolation.

Robins manager Mitch Blake said: "Saturday's result was a disappointing one for the club and the players involved. No-one got started and maybe the amplitude of the occasion got to them.

"If we had won they would have been nine points behind us, but now it's three.

"But what's gone is gone, it's up to the players to perform in the forthcoming games.

"We seem to do better against the better sides, having beaten Cowes Sports and drawn at AFC Totton, but we struggle against the lower sides."

Chris King scored in last Tuesday's 2-1 defeat away at Portland United.

Blake added: "We were very unlucky not to come away with a result from Portland."

Downton are at Alton Town's Bass Sports Ground on Saturday, before hosting Winchester City on Tuesday evening.

Alton have lost ten league games in a row, but Winchester, who are on FA Vase semi-final duty at Bideford on Saturday, will be a different proposition.

Matt Guy remains Robins' only injury doubt, with a hip complaint, but he is likely to play.

Downton reserves lost 1-0 to Andover reserves last Wednesday, but beat AFC Newbury reserves 2-0 away on Saturday, with goals from Adam Newman and Karl Bryant.

They entertain Alton Town reserves on Saturday.