Alton lost 1-0 at Abbey Rangers in the Combined Counties Premier Division South.

Mohamed Diakite’s 89th-minute goal gave the hosts the three points.

“It was a tight game on a poor pitch,” said Alton manager Kevin Adair.

“There was no real quality in the game – anyone who paid money to watch it didn’t get their money’s worth.

“The ball spent a lot of time in the air. Abbey played a lot of long balls and we maybe should have played more long balls ourselves.

“In a game like that we should be coming away with a draw and a decent point away from home against a side in and around us in the league.

“The goal we conceded came from a corner and was a poor goal to concede – we should have dealt with it better.

“We’ve been on a good run and hopefully we can go on another run.”