DOWNTON crashed to the foot of the table due to another win for fellow strugglers Whitchurch United, but the Robins were buoyed by an impressive display at Wick Lane against third-placed Gosport Borough, writes Ryan Lovejoy.

The visitors' captain Stuart Hens-man netted the only goal of the game on 70 minutes when he latched onto Darren Robson's through ball, after Neal Archer had missed for the Robins.

Mark Savage, switched from midfield to attack, had three good chances but Gosport goalkeeper Mark Brown was in fine form.

Former Bemerton Heath Harle-quins defender Adam Camfield was sent off for foul and abusive language in the last minute, but it was too late for Downton to mount a comeback.

Robins boss Mitch Blake said: "We played very well against Bournemouth (3-0 away win) and it was a bonus to be able to pick the same team two weeks on the trot.

"Everybody was confident and I think a draw would have been a fair result. Their 'keeper was a monster for them. Our defence of Gulliver, Pelling, Trim and Smith is as good as anyone's in the league.

"Their forward Paul Moody has played around 300 league games, including some in the top flight, but we handled him."

The Downton manager is adamant he has enough quality in his small squad to avoid the drop.

He added: "Getting Matt Guy back from injury has boosted the team because he has the ability to hold the ball up so the whole team can push on and support him.

"Mark Gulliver has given us some steel at right back since he signed from Bemerton, and it helps that he is a proper right back because Nick Lumber and Brian White are then free to play in their best positions.

"Our tails are up and our destiny is in our hands. If we play like that we will be okay, but if we lose one or two players, we struggle.

"I have probably got 14 players who are capable in this division, so we are continually working hard in the transfer market."

The Robins head to the Portway Stadium on Saturday, hoping to compound Andover's misery after their 3-2 home defeat to Bournemouth Poppies.

League leaders Wimborne Town then visit Wick Lane on Tuesday (7.45pm kick off), with Downton still smarting from a 6-1 reverse at The Cuthbury in November.

Robins' reserves, who host Bournemouth Poppies Reserves on Saturday, lost 2-0 at Hamble ASSC at the weekend.