Petersfield Town slipped to a narrow 2-1 defeat at Newhaven in the Southern Combination Football League Premier Division on Saturday.

Two penalties condemned the Rams to an away defeat on a chilly afternoon.

Harrison Cable and Liam Kimber had early efforts saved, but Newhaven’s final-third passes were causing Petersfield plenty of problems.

Jack Robinson was played through by a clever pass, and Charlie Merritt tripped him to concede a penalty.

Robinson stepped up after 23 minutes and rolled the ball in.

The Rams were fortunate not to fall further behind as the hosts kept the pressure up.

Petersfield recovered and a big chance went begging for Callum Kimber.

Cable got into the box after a superb solo run and slid a pass to Kimber two yards out with an empty goal, but he put his effort over the bar.

The Rams grabbed the equaliser three minutes before half-time.

Cable worked hard on the ball to draw defenders and go past them before he delivered a low cross for Liam Kimber to run onto.

Kimber controlled the ball with a superb first touch before placing his effort in the far corner.

Petersfield were hanging on for most the second half as Newhaven pushed for a second, and Rams keeper Kieran Connell made a brilliant save in the 55th minute.

The Rams did create chances though. Cable had a near-post effort saved and Assad Ssemwogerere rolled his effort narrowly wide.

The visitors conceded a second penalty when they were caught playing out from the back.

Robinson went into the box and went over from a challenge from Jack Farrier.

Lee Robinson stepped up and put his penalty high into the roof of the net.

Bob Tudway hit the crossbar for the visitors late on but the Rams were unable to rescue a point.