It took just one fortunate tap-in from a scrappy corner to see Alton steal all three points in a 1-0 win leaving Chipstead empty-handed in their latest match in the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Division South on Saturday afternoon 

They seemed to have weathered early Alton pressure, with Benjamin Gambrah making one vitally important block to keep it scoreless, but the only goal came on 23 minutes, as an inswinging corner was headed goalwards, hitting another Alton player, but their no. 15 was first to react & turn in the loose ball at close range

Chips tried to reply, & a dangerous cross by Edd Mbango from the right was cut out by the visiting keeper, who then saved Gambrah's low shot at the near post, & it remained 1-0 at the break

The home side tried to apply pressure after the break to get back into the game - a great cross from the right by Abioseh Davies saw the diminutive Deshon Carty challenge the keeper, but the referee blew for an infringement, before Diego Munoz fed Mbango, but his shot was charged down

Reece Deakin headed on to Carty, whose teasing ball from the left was almost headed into his own net by a defender - Carty then troubled the keeper again at close quarters, but the ball was saved

Chipstead introduced their subs, & Carty was thwarted again, after a mazy dribble from Michael Agyemang, yet they were lucky not to concede a second goal, as keeper Jacob Bennett made a smart save to parry an Alton shot, &, from the corner, the ball hit a post

As time ran out, sub Erick Rayo Arias sent Munoz away down the right, but his cross was glanced just over by Deakin

They couldn't muster an equaliser, & endured another frustrating afternoon, which leaves them 15th in the league table - they will regroup to host Virginia Water in the league next Saturday