It was not so much the result but the way they played that has probably killed any hopes of Alton winning the Hampshire League.
With only one other Premier Division match going ahead on Saturday, Alton had a great chance to close the gap on the leaders.
But Brading seemed to adapt to the atrocious conditions better at Anstey Park and took the lead when Darren Powell sprinted through to score with a low shot.
Alton had some good attacks down the left, with Mark Benham trying to get the forwards going, but the final ball was just not good enough.
However, 10 minutes before half-time, Mark Clothier deceived the Brading 'keeper with a 30-yard free-kick that dipped wickedly to find the net.
In a crucial incident just before the break, Glen McDonald was adjudged to have tripped an opponent. Marc Cole made a superb save, but the referee ruled that Alton had encroached and Lawrence Edmonston made no mistake with the re-taken penalty.
In a continual downpour after half-time, the heavier Brading players won the midfield battle.
Simon Perrier made it 3-0 with a fine headed goal and when the referee, having listened to his linesman, awarded another penalty – again converted by Edmonston – Alton knew it was all over.