A GAME that started so well for Alton on Saturday changed dramatically in the space of 10 minutes.

Having taken an early lead, Alton had a second goal controversially disallowed.

Wimborne promptly hit back with two quick goals and thereafter never looked like surrendering the lead.

Alton, who had received the Jewson Wessex Team of the Month award for November before kick-off, were ultimately outplayed by fourth-placed Wimborne.

But manager Dave Hawtin remained philosophical. "It perhaps sums up where we are at the moment. We are a very young side and although we lost our way a bit, we still gave one of the best teams in the league a game.

"There was nothing much wrong with the way we played, but we can get bullied by these good sides. I'm still encouraged with the way things are going."

In the damp and murk of the Bass Sports Ground, and with the going treacherous underfoot, Alton's defence, solid but somewhat pedestrian, struggled against the pace of the visitors, expecially number 10 Stuart Cannie, surely one of the quickest forwards in the league.

His solo equaliser seemed to unravel the neat organisation that had marked Alton's play in the first 25 minutes.

They deservedly took the lead after 10 minutes, thanks to some excellent work on the left by Ian Dyer. Having left two men chasing shadows, he whipped in a superb cross that left Danny McGarry with a simple conversion at the far post.

On 20 minutes, Alton thought they had doubled their lead when Richard Mealey powerfully headed home from another Dyer cross, only for referee Iain Thomson to disallow the goal – apparently for pushing by Mealey.

Undeterred, Alton maintained the pressure and Wimborne struggled to get out of their own half.

But on 25 minutes, Cannie led a breakout and Alton made the fatal mistake of backing off as he surged down the middle and then sprinted to the right of the penalty area. No obvious danger threatened, but Cannie left Simon Pullman standing and, from an unlikely angle, struck a tremendous shot past a startled Micky Street for the equaliser.

Five minutes later, Street, standing in for the unavailable Steve Sladen, did well to deflect Gareth Barnes' shot for a corner. But 'keeper and defenders failed to intercept Cannie's well-directed corner and Jamie Sturgess scored with a fine glancing head.

Wimborne in front and the whole balance of the game had changed, with the visitors now running the show from midfield.

Alton, with the honourable exception of Steve Larvan, were not too hot at tackling back under pressure and the centre-backs found themselves continually stretched by Wimborne's nippy attackers.

In the second half, Street made some brave saves and tried to catch Wimborne out with long, accurate clearances that befitted a former accomplished left-back.

But this was about all Alton had to offer. The visitors looked dangerous every time they strung a few passes together and settled the issue with their third goal in the 65th minute.

Sturgess made the chance with a cheeky back-heel inside the box and Guy Dipper drove home fiercely from 10 yards.

Cannie, as mouthy and physical as he was skilful, earned an overdue booking, but was fortunate to have stayed on the field before being diplomatically withdrawn by his manager.

Alton, although offering little in this half, never gave up and Larvan almost made it an interesting finish when he missed by inches with a sweetly stuck 25-yarder.

Alton: Street, Pullman, Wood, Ventham, Bray (Frisby 67 mins), Sporton, McGarry, Larvan, Bridger, Mealey (Edwards 60 mins), Dyer. Sub (not used) Guy.

Wimborne: Kearn, Percival, Sims, Powell, Roast, Barham, Sturgess, Smith, Barnes, Stuart Cannie (Lewis 90 mins), Dipper. Subs (not used) Marney, Scott Cannie.