ONE-TIME Town striker Tom Riddell scored twice to help deprive his former team mates of their first league win since early September.

Neil Benson's team selection was in part influenced by the fact that the following day three of the squad’s youngsters including Charlie Gunson were due to attend the final selection for the English Schoolboy squad.

Michael Dixon was suspended but Ike Robertson returned from his enforced break alongside Danny Urry up front with Claudio Herbert wide on the right.

Akwasi Marfo was also unavailable with his parent club Grays recalling him for their FA Trophy tie.

Andover made a strong start and after just seven minutes had a strong claim for a penalty waved away after Craig Blakeman appeared to be brought down by Alresford goalkeeper Jared Hixon.

Ryan Inskip fired high after a Blakeman free-kick before Town took a well-deserved lead with 15 minutes gone.

Following a good build-up, Robertson latched on to Blakeman’s well-timed pass to slot home just inside the post.

Alresford always looked strong going forward but the equaliser was unexpected as Hixon punted a long ball deep into Andover territory where it bounced enough to deceive the defence and Riddell snapped up the easiest of chances.

Five minutes later the lead was restored when Herbert never gave up on a chase on the right and Urry was perfectly placed to convert the cross with a header.

Andover came out for the second half with all guns blazing. Only Hixon’s legs stopped Herbert from scoring and further chances fell to Robertson and Alex Dockree before the home side began to get back into the game.

Their persistence to get back on terms finally paid off just past the hour mark when a quick break down the right caught Andover out and when the cross came over Riddell's finishing was clinical.

Urry and Blakeman, who ran their socks off all afternoon, were replaced by Lewis Benson and Ollie Yates and, although there were close calls at either end, the all important winning goal remained out of reach.