DOWNTON turned in a disappointing display at Lymington Town on Saturday, going down limply to one of their fellow relegation candidates.

Jake Ormond gave the hosts the lead with a far post header on 29 minutes, and they went in at the break 1-0 up.

Dave Pearce was then sent off for a second yellow card and Mark McGinness nodded in Tom Glasspool's cross in the 72nd minute.

Nick Cooper got the third in the last minute of play.

"It was the first time we have had a really bad day since I've been in charge," said Robins boss Mike Pearce.

"Up to now we have been pleased with the effort in every game, but not on Saturday.

"We lost 7-0 to AFC Totton in the previous game but they are top of the league and we still managed to play football.

"Lymington was a game we thought we could get something out of but it didn't happen."

Pearce was bemused by the red card decision, especially considering some tackles that went unpunished.

"I didn't think that either of the bookings was fair, and we had to substitute two players because of injury but nothing was done about those tackles," he said.

"James Hoskins was caught in the first minute and although the tackle wasn't too bad, our main gripe was that the referee wouldn't let us get onto the pitch to treat him for two or three minutes.

"Steve Clarke was tackled badly, and we now have to make do without those players for two or three weeks.

"We are already down to the bare bones, and the reserves had a game too, so we had to go with just two substitutes."

The Robins face one of the league's high-fliers, Poole Town, at Wick Lane on Saturday.

"We aren't worried about the tough games, it's the supposedly easier ones where we tend to struggle," said Pearce.

"We know our fate and we are not under any illusions, but it is useful experience for the players to play against the top teams.

"We look forward to it and we will enjoy it."

The reserves lost 3-0 at home to Winchester City last Wednesday and went down 3-1 at Brockenhurst on Saturday when Cameron Whitley got their goal.

They go to Cowes Sports this weekend.

Downton suffered another blow on Tuesday night, going down 4-1 at home to Hamworthy United.

The second string also lost that night, 5-0 at Laverstock & Ford.