Hastings United 3 Carshalton Athletic 1

After the midweek home trouncing of Tooting, expectations were high as the Robins travelled to play-off hopefuls Hastings on Saturday but, for the most part, were unable to get out of second gear and were punished for failing to take the chances that came their way at key moments of this Ryman League Premier Division game.

A first-half injury that saw the recently returned Adrian Toppin leave the field will also be a cause for concern, with games coming thick and fast in the coming weeks.

Both teams spurned fine scoring chances in the first five minutes.

The first fell to the home side, when Kenny Beaney too easily lost possession in midfield, allowing Liam Upton to be presented with a shooting chance, but fortunately his shot was hit wide.

At the other end, an even better opportunity came the way of Richard Jolly at the end of some good work by Rashid Kamara and Charlie Ide, but the normally reliable Robins striker’s shot was underhit, giving keeper Steve Williams the chance to make an easy save.

Play was mostly in the midfield as both teams tried to take the initiative, but the Robins almost broke through when Toppin’s through ball was just too far in front of Ide.

Beaney struggled to exert his normal influence in midfield and was unfortunate to be cautioned for a mistimed challenge.

Hastings applied the pressure on the half-hour and, after Ade Olorunda’s shot on the turn dropped just over and Nic Hamann denied Upton with a save that hit his legs and the cross-bar, they went ahead on 32 minutes from the subsequent corner that was headed back into the six yard box for Sean Ray to glance home.

The Robins came close to hitting back, when Barry Stevens and David Ray worked an opening on the right, but Ray’s low cross aimed towards Jolly was cleared for a corner.

Toppin pulled up in midfield with what looked like a thigh strain and on came Karl Murray, but it was Hastings who came close to a second, with another attack being cleared off the line in the final seconds of the half.

A change at half-time saw Kamara, too often profligate with his final pass, replaced by Craig Faulconbridge, and the move brought an instant reward when, on 47 minutes, Faulconbridge’s throughball was seized on by Charlie Ide, who took the ball forward before scoring with a fine finish that beat Williams and went in off the far post.

For the first time in the game, it was Carshalton who looked most likely to score.

Jolly set up Ide with another chance for a goalbound shot that was cleared off the line for a corner and Stevens really should have put his side ahead when he was first to Jolly’s blocked shot, but his careless finish with the keeper stranded was cleared off the line when it should have finished in the back of the net.

Hastings replaced Upton with the experienced Sam Adams as they attempted to regain control, but it was a mistake by Justyn Roberts that gave them the chance to get back in front on 61 minutes.

Under no great pressure, the Robins central defender lost his footing and the ball, giving Olorunda the chance to sweep forward and score his customary goal against the Robins with a fine finish that gave Hamann no chance.

Hastings were in the driving seat for the remainder of the game and, despite Carshalton’s efforts to get back on terms, United looked the side most likely to score the next and decisive goal.

Nathan Russell headed over and Russell Eldridge made a total mess of a shooting chance from six yards out.

Injury-time arrived with Carshalton totally committed to the desperate search for the equaliser but, when possession was lost, the home team took maximum advantage, isolating Watkins as the last defender and giving Harry Pell the chance to put the result beyond any lingering doubt.

Robins: Nick Hamann, David Ray, Rob Watkins, Justyn Roberts, Lewis Gonsalves, Adrian Toppin (Karl Murray), Barry Stevens, Kenny Beaney, Charlie Ide, Richard Jolly, Rashid Kamara Craig Faulconbridge)

Subs not used: Gerry Gonella, Stefan Cox

Attendance: 441

Forthcoming games

Tuesday, March 9 (7.45pm): Bognor Regis Town v Carshalton Athletic, Ryman League Premier Division

Saturday, March 13 (3pm): Carshalton Athletic v Hendon, Ryman League Premier Division

Tuesday, March 16 (7.45pm): Tonbridge Angels v Carshalton Athletic, Ryman League Premier Division