DOWNTON'S impressive four-game unbeaten run came to an abrupt halt away to Brockenhurst, who prevailed 2-0 at Grigg Lane.

Dave Midgeley put them ahead after Jon Burton parried Dominic Bryant's header, and Nick Kemp clinched it on 75 minutes.

Robins boss Mitch Blake said: "They are a good side but we competed well with them.

"Matt Guy missed a good opportunity in the first half, when a set play was helped on by Mark Savage but Matty headed it over.

"The luck went against us with their second goal because Nick Lumber volleyed clear, but it ricocheted into our net off the back of one of their players. It was a freak of nature." Blake added: "We huffed and puffed and we might have got a result if we had pulled one back, but I felt that we wouldn't score if we played all night.

"It was just one of those days. Brockenhurst have always been a bogey team for us.

"Our run is over but it's how we react to it that's paramount."

Downton will look to put further space between them and bottom club Whitchurch United when they clash on Saturday.

Guy should be available after being substituted as a precaution.

Ian Stevens and Calvin Cranmer are likely to return, but Ben Smith is still suspended.

Blake said: "It's the big game at Wick Lane on Saturday and the result will probably seal the season's fate.

"I can't see how anybody is going to go down if the Hampshire Premier Division becomes Wessex Two, but we'll keep playing hard and see what happens."