FOOTBALL: sDOWNTON could count themselves unlucky to lose 2-1 at BAT Sports on Saturday, having hit the woodwork twice, writes Ryan Lovejoy.

They were a goal down after two minutes when a shot from Dave Puckett slipped through the normally reliable hands of Glen Craven.

Stuart Lindsay had to clear Puckett's near post flick off the line to stop the Robins going further behind, before Ben Smith almost equali-sed from Nicky Lum-ber's through ball.

Calvin Cranmer surged forward and hit a 25-yard shot which the goalkeeper tipped onto the bar and over on 20 minutes.

Russell James went close for Downton, as did Danny Boere for the home side before half time.

With the first attack of the second half, Mark Ireland hit the post from outside the area, but BAT were 2-0 up in the 70th minute when Boere rounded off a slick move.

Smith reduced the arrears when hesitation in the home defence allowed him to nip in and score.

Downton boss Mitch Blake said: "We felt we were unlucky and could have got something.

"They broke away and hit us twice. Matt Guy was out injured and we missed him up front.

"Ben Smith was our best player. He works very hard from box to box, and if it wasn't for him and Nicky Lumber, we wouldn't be able to play the system we do."

Looking ahead to Downton's visit to Bournemouth on Saturday. Blake said: "Poppies are underachieving really, so if the players go there with the right attitude we are hopeful. This year we are unhappy with a 2-1 defeat which shows how we've improved because last season that wouldn't have concerned people much."