DOWNTON'S depression deepened when they lost two home games, including a 3-0 reverse against league leaders Wimborne Town last Tuesday. On Saturday they went down 4-1 to Christchurch.

Nick Lumber's goal was a mere consolation against the Priory men, with Scott Joyce and Ben Osborne each netting a brace.

Robins boss Mitch Blake told Journal Sport: "I felt we coped quite well against Wimborne, but 3-0 was a fair result. We created a couple of opportunities but overall they were better and we accept that. Sometimes it's a case of damage limitation.

"Saturday's result hurt us more. A couple of individual errors damaged us. If it was one player making a mistake I could sort it out, but the mistakes are spread around the team and every time we make one, it costs us dear. It's like 'pass the baby' at the moment. We take one step forward and two steps back, and some weeks we go sideways."

Wick Lane will now host Saturday's Wessex League match against Blackfield & Langley, before the Robins go to Cowes Sports' Test-wood Park home on Tuesday.

Blake said: "These are games we need points from if we are to stay in this division.

"There is no magical formula and there's no-one waiting in the wings ready to save us.

"We are working hard to bring players in but it's down to me as the manager to instill some mental fortitude in the players I have already got."

The reserves are at BAT Sports reserves on Saturday.