ALTON Town crashed out of the Hampshire Senior Cup on Saturday against a very competitive Andover side.

Lewis Field came through a late fitness test and Alton were unchanged from the side that beat Cowes last week.

It proved to be an all-action game from start to finish, with both sides quick to push forward during a tight first half, but league rivals Andover were sharper in front of goal.

Justin Bennett scored the first of a fine hat-trick of goals after just 12 minutes, striking the ball past Steve Sladen from 25 yards.

Alton's response was positive and twice in quick succession they thought they had equalised.

Ian Dyer's cross found John Edwards unmarked 10 yards out, but his header flashed just wide. Then Dyer himself whipped in a shot from the edge of the box that beat the 'keeper but clipped the upright.

Andover benefited from a lenient referee who showed only yellow cards after what looked blatant fouls on Steve Larvan and Edwards.

The interval allowed both players and supporters to get their breath back and the game to calm down .

The second half was nip-and-tuck at first as Alton played with good discipline in search of an equaliser against their more experienced hosts.

With 20 minutes left, manager Dave Hawtin made his gamble, with Richard Mealey and Jayme Sporton replacing Field and Mark Frisby as Alton chased the game.

But the cup-tie was settled five minutes later. Alton were guilty of ball watching as a long cross to the back post went unchallenged and Bennett was allowed a free header: 2-0.

Still Alton ploughed forward and Edwards clipped the post from 20 yards.

Andover had skipper Glen Damon sent off for a late tackle on Edwards and Dyer went agonisingly close from the resulting free-kick.

Sporton was the next victim of a late challenge as yellow cards brightened the murky afternoon and, just to rub salt into the wounds, Bennett competed his hat-trick with virtually the last kick of the game .

Alton, with only a handful of first-teamers, knocked a strong Fleet side out of the Basingstoke Senior Cup on Tuesday, winning 5-3 on penalties. After 90 minutes of stalemate, Danny Taylor put Alton in front, only for the home side to equalise with a late penalty. Alton had a 100 per cent record in the shoot-out, while Fleet missed twice from the spot.

Last night (Thurs) Alton were playing at Hartley Wintney in the Aldershot Senior Cup .

A tough week will be rounded off on Saturday with the visit to high-flying Eastleigh, who have Matt Le Tissier on their books.