AFC TOTTON produced the right performance but the wrong result at Bishops Cleeve yesterday.

The 3-2 reverse was the Stags’ fourth defeat in five Southern One South & West outings, leaving them fifth-to-bottom.

Nevertheless manager Steve Hollick was pleased to get a positive response from his players in the wake of a 6-1 league mauling by Larkhall and a sorry FA Cup exit at lower league Gillingham Town.

Totton trailed to goals from Aaron Drake and Ben Hayes with 37 minutes gone before midfield man Neil Williams pulled it back to 2-1.

But everything conspired against the Stags in the second half with fit-again Mike Gosney – back from a spell in hospital with a twisted stomach - denied by Matt Wieczorek's penalty save, Adam Pearson having a goal disallowed and young midfielder Jake Burgess sent off for a second yellow card.

A heavily deflected Ieuan Crowe strike put Cleeve 3-1 up late on before Pearson struck with a stoppage-time header.

“We dominated the second half, but Gos has missed a penalty, Adam's had a goal dubiously disallowed for a foul that never was and young Jake Burgess should never have been sent off,” said Hollick.

“Jake’s made two midfield tackles, which is what he’s in there for, and the first one was never a booking. Their lad’s screamed and the ref’s fallen for it. It was harsh on Jake.

“We didn’t do ourselves justice with their first two goals, but the lads showed real character and endeavour and worked their socks off.

“It’s not the result we wanted, but at least we showed some fight. How we came away with nothing is beyond me.

“It was great having Gos back, he was tremendous. We had to dig in after Jake was sent off and Gos was big enough to say he’d hang on in there for the whole 90 minutes.

“Sherbs (Nathaniel Sherborne) came on and Nick Watts made the bench too. It’s good to have that quality back in the squad. We’re getting close to where we want to be.”

Totton will need that quality tomorrow (Monday, 3pm) when they host Salisbury in front of what should hopefully be a bumper Bank Holiday crowd.

Steve Claridge’s Whites staged a thrilling comeback to maintain their 100 per cent home record 2-1 against Mangotsfield yesterday.

Salisbury succumbed to a tenth-minute Lewis Powell goal before hitting back through Elliott Wheeler’s volley 12 minutes from time.

Then, with four minutes left, Kane O’Keefe netted a trademark header, putting the ninth-placed Whites in good spirits for tomorrow's Testwood showdown.