Alton used their 'get out of jail free card' and escaped with a draw against United Services in a turgid encounter at Anstey Park.

Scrum-half Steve Clunie had the chance to clinch two points for the Navy side but his penalty kick four minutes from time slipped wide and the visitors had to make do with a share of spoils.

However, the visitors should have won the game but they missed five shots at goal and enjoyed the lion's share of possession against a curiously subdued Alton side.

Alton's performance left most - including head coach Lee Goodall - scratching their heads in bemusement. This young, gifted side has looked a million dollars in training and in the early-season, but Saturday's showing was uncertain and error-strewn. The sense of frustration was palpable.

Much of the credit has to go to US, however. Depleted by injuries and struggling for consistency this season, they were a well-balanced, physically strong outfit that belied their mid-table status.

On the plus side, Alton's scrummage had the edge and the line-out was generally immaculate.

More concerningly for Goodall was his side's inability to recycle the ball at speed, and the plethora of turn-overs which dogged Alton's game from the start.

Where Alton lacked ruthlessness in the breakdowns, US were prepared to get down and dirty. Consequently, Alton's ability to win clean, quick ball was chronically undermined and they simply could not string together enough phases to hurt the opposition.

The swirling cross-field wind did not help, but the elements played only a minor part in a dreadful, whistle-dominated affair which even the players found deeply unsatisfying.

And thirty penalties, plus a never-ending procession of set-pieces made for a singularly unattractive spectacle for the supporters too.

But Alton began brightly - they denied a couple of early chances to take the lead when wing Bruce Oliphant and stand-off Steven Ott went close, but thereafter it was all US Portsmouth.

The visitors dominated possession though they seldom posed any meaningful threat to Alton's line. US stand-off Tom Watson nearly benefited from a fortunate ricochet from his own clever chip and chase but he was denied by the first of a string of try-saving tackles from Ben Wallace.

Wallace, moved to full-back from his regular wing slot, had an excellent game - his quickness of feet and defensive excellence provided solace on an otherwise gloomy day at Anstey Park.

Clunie missed two early penalty chances but US eventually took the lead on 31 minutes. A scything break from centre Will Gerrard was halted by Wallace on Alton's 22 but US recycled the ball and wing Luke Peters forced his way through three covering tackles to dab down in the right-hand corner.

Alton levelled the scores seven minutes into the second period, however, when Silas Jones touched down after a series of rolling mauls - a rare period of sustained pressure that saw US prop George Dunn sent to the bin.

But neither side was able to carve out any openings thereafter. US enjoyed most of the possession and territory while Alton, pinned in their own half by the biting wind, sought in vain to break out from deep.

And then, when a draw seemed a nailed-on certainty, Alton scrum-half Jason Grace was somewhat unfairly penalised for hanging onto the ball in the tackle after falling on a loose ball in his 22.

But Clunie's kick drifted right and the chance was gone. Needless to say, it was the visitors who were the happier of the two teams at the final whistle but the sense of anti-climax was too evident.

Alton: B Wallace; B Oliphant, J Rees, S Johns, D Forsyth; S Ott, J Grace; E Ross, L Parratt (c), J Gay; M Greenhalgh, R White; S Jones, A Davies, M Forsyth (S Sorby 55). Subs not used: A Willman, J Rowe.

United Services: I McGrath; L Peters, A Rooke, W Gerrard, B Fresher; A Watson, S Clunie; B Lenigan (c), T Pilkington, G Dunn; M Smith, M Prtichard; C Ham, C Knight, B O'Shaughnessy.

* Alton face a tough task this weekend in Round 3 of the EDF Energy Junior Vase when they welcome Hemel Hempstead to Anstey Park.

Hemel have won all six of their league games this term and are currently sitting on top of Herts/Middlesex Division 1.