Alton slipped to their second league defeat on their travels on an afternoon of frustration at Cams Alders.

Alton's 20-8 loss at the hands of an experienced, street-wise Fareham Heathens, while not disastrous, suggests that an immediate return to the London leagues will be a tough nut to crack.

This was a mess of a game which the Heathens deserved to win after a second-half rally saw them score two close-range tries halfway through the second half and overturn an 8-3 deficit in the process.

Alton had enough tools in the bag to do the job, but too often an errant pass, a needless penalty or an untimely turnover undermined their progress. They did not play well but in fairness to Luke Parratt's inexperienced side, it was they who showed the greater enterprise in attack though they were held at bay by a determined Heathens' defence.

The visitors' back three may have lacked experience but stand-off Steve Ott constantly sought to bring them into the game; by contrast, the home side's wings scarcely touched the ball all afternoon.

Sadly for Alton, rugby matches are not won by good intentions.

It was all level at 3-3 at the interval after the outside-halves, Ott and Niall Allardice, had exchanged penalties. A dour first half saw the game pan out as expected: Heathens, blessed with big, experienced forward eight, kept things tight while Allardice worked the ball cleverly into the corners, forcing Alton's wings to turn on their heels. It was simple, but effective; Allardice's tactical kicking was the Heathens' most potent offensive weapon.

Alton, meanwhile, sought to attack from deep and play the expansive game that has served them so well this season, though their caused was hampered by their own errors, slow ball and an uncommonly narrow pitch, which aided the home side's ability to defend their flanks. Consequently, they struggled to string together many phases - their frustration was evident as the game progressed.

But it was the visitors who broke the deadlock ten minutes into the second period when a break by Ott, a quick ruck and sharp hands sent wing Ed Clark - who enjoyed a highly assured debut - over in the right-hand corner.

But the home side narrowed the gap with an Allardice penalty and then took the lead when they stole an Alton line-out five yards from the visitors' line and prop James Nicholson squeezed over.

Three minutes later, Heathens extended their lead when a peel from the back of a scrummage close to the Alton line allowed Paul Charlson to sneak over, the blind-side showing good strength to force his way over. Allardice converted both.

Trailing by twelve points with 18 minutes left, Alton threw everything at the home side, but to no avail. Heathens' defence held strong and when Alton did cough up the ball, the outstanding Allardice was on hand to relieve the danger.

All is not lost at Anstey Park. Alton have a chance to bounce back swiftly - they host the mercurial US Portsmouth on Saturday and a win will keep them amongst the promotion hopefuls.

Fareham Heathens: N Howarth; T Illingworth, B Strudwick, M Rugman, G Algar; N Allardice, R Moorhouse; J Nicholson, A Wye, P Mitchell; D Wheaton, E Monk (c); P Charlson, C Shepherd, J Daly.

Tries: Charlson, Nicholson; Conversions: Allardice (2); Pens: Allardice (2).

Alton: A Willman (B Oliphant 60); E Clark, J Rees, S Johns, B Wallace; S Ott, J Grace; J Rowe, L Parratt (c), J Gay; M Greenhalgh, R White; S Jones, A Davies (W Carter 55), M Forsyth.

Try: Clark; Pen: Ott.