Eastbourne Borough 1 Alty 0

11:03am Tuesday 2nd September 2008

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A DOMINANT display failed to deliver the points as Alty lost 1-0 at Eastbourne Borough on Saturday.

Despite bossing the game for long spells, the Robins were undone by Paul Armstrong’s first half goal as their winless run was extended to five games.

It was also the second time in as many away games that they had been held scoreless, disappointing considering the much-improved attacking talent at Graham Heathcote’s disposal this season.

The only other previous meeting between the two clubs had been a triumphant one for Alty, beating Eastbourne 2-1 in the Conference promotion play-off final to secure promotion to non-league’s top flight.

It just wasn’t to be this time round.

Alty started well enough and Chris Senior went close early on, firing narrowly wide of the post.

But the first effort on target to test either keeper came from the hosts, Jay Lovett seeing his effort saved by Stuart Coburn.

The lively Chris Denham - standing in for Colin Little, who was not fit enough to start - blasted just past the post before Senior was denied by a decent stop from home keeper Lee Hook.

Their efforts were insignificant though, as the hosts took the lead on 28 minutes in somewhat controversial fashion.

When Armstrong latched onto a through ball down the right channel, Alty players and coaches all appealed for offside but to no avail, as the Eastbourne skipper was allowed to continue and planted the ball over Coburn and into the net.

Eastbourne could even have doubled their lead before the break but both Allan Tait and Pat Harding faltered at the vital moment.

After the break it was all Alty though.

Little and Lee Elam were introduced as the Robins went on the attack and they laid siege to the home goal.

A superb cross from Denham gave Little a chance moments after coming on but he scuffed his shot straight at Hook.

Senior found space after being picked out by Warren Peyton but he was denied by Hook from 12 yards as another glorious chance went begging.

Alty’s best chance came 14 minutes from time when they won a free kick 25 yards out and Peyton rattled the bar with a superb left-footed effort.

They kept going right until the end with Hook denying Denham and Dale Johnson then heading a cross from the former Droylsden forward over the bar.

Alty player ratings: Coburn 6; Battersby 7, McGregor 7, Young 6, Peyton 7; Meechan 6 (Little 52, 6), Danylyk 7, Lawton 6, Doughty 5 (Elam 52, 6); Denham 8, Senior 6 (Johnson 73). Subs not used: Lane, Street.