Hastings United 3 Carshalton Athletic 1

CARSHALTON Athletic sank back into the Ryman League Premier Division relegation zone last Saturday after missed chances cost them any chance of salvaging a point at play-off hopefuls Hastings.

UNDER SIEGE: Carshalton Athletic goalkeeper Nick Hamann could not prevent his side slumping to defeat at Hastings United Picture by Chris Bushe

Both sides spurned good opportunities in the opening five minutes, Liam Upton shooting wide for the hosts and Richard Jolly giving United keeper Steve Williams an easy save with an underhit shot.

The Robins almost broke through when Toppin's through ball was just too far in front of Ide.

But Hastings applied the pressure and, after Nick Hamann denied Upton with a save that hit his legs and the crossbar on 32 minutes, they went ahead from the subsequent corner which was glanced home by Sean Ray.

The hosts almost added a second at the end of the half but the ball was cleared off the line.

Craig Faulconbridge appeared after the interval and it brought instant reward as his through ball was seized on by Charlie Ide who took the ball forward before scoring with a fine finish, via the far post.

The Robins suddenly had the upper hand with Ide and Stevens both having shots cleared off the line. The latter ought to have done better.

But a mistake by Justyn Roberts led to Hastings regaining the lead on 61 minutes, the centre-back losing his footing and the ball, giving Olorunda the chance to sweep forward and give Hamann no chance.

Carshalton committed to find an equaliser but Hastings looked the more likely to score and so it proved in injury-time as Harry Pell put the result beyond doubt after the visitors had lost possession in attack.

Carshalton Athletic: Hamann, Ray, Watkins, Roberts, Gonsalves, Toppin (Murray), Stevens, Beaney, Ide, Jolly, Kamara (Faulconbridge). Unused subs: Gonella, Cox.