MISSED chances cost AFC Aldermaston dear as they lost narrowly 2-1 at Raynes Lane in the Hellenic League Division One East, writes Callum Eaton.

Aldermaston limited Rayners Lane to only a few long ranged efforts in the first half, while Kai Parton-Edey and Michael Porter missed great one-on-one opportunities to put the visitors side ahead.

Aldermaston were then stunned, as a long ball cross field saw a shot fired towards goal and tipped out by Daniel Smith, to the edge of the area where it was hit first time back into the net.

After the break, the Atom men tried to build some momentum and did so in the 65th minute, when a jinxing run by Callum Eaton allowed Craig Masterton to hammer the ball across the six yard box, where Porter tapped the ball in.

Aldermaston high on adrenaline then let their hard work slip, as a long cross field ball once again split the defence and the Rayners Lane winger cute inside before firing home with his left foot 2-1 The Atom's tried to find a way back into the game, but could not convert their chances which seemed to be the story of the 90 minutes as the game.

With teams around Aldermaston all dropping points, a draw would have seen them go second.

Fifth placed Aldermaston will hope to bounce back to winning ways when fourth placed side Headington Amateurs are the visitors on Saturday.