ANDOVER Lions turned in their best performance of the season on Saturday and despite going down by the odd goal in three to table topping Infinity there was plenty to be pleased with from the performance at Charlton.

Lions were boosted by new signings Ryan Steele and Tom Adams who have both returned after a brief spell at Stockbridge.

Andover also saw skipper Danny Sullivan return from injury and John Robb and Shane Lock were also available.

Lions kicked off with a strong wind behind them with Sullivan instrumental in most of the moves and were only kept at bay by a combination of good goal keeping and a strong defence.

On 15 minutes, however, Steve Allen changed the game with a sublime finish.

Sam Floyd won an aerial challenge in the middle of the park and the ball was played across the field to Allen who volleyed in from all of 30 yards past a helpless Cray Sams in the home goal.

Floyd nearly added to the score five minutes later then Darren Paris came close to equalising but blasted over when well placed.

Sullivan and Nick Dadds had efforts on goal and Lock was denied by a terrific save but Lions went in a goal down despite having turned in of their best halves of the season.

Within a minute Steele and Sullivan combined to set up Dadds but the ball ran away to safety and things got worse for Dadds two minutes later when he reacted to a rash challenge by New that resulted in a red card for the striker and yellow for the visiting defender.

It looked like Andover had a mountain to climb and Lock was again denied by a breathtaking save then Floyd hit the bar for the visitors before New hit a pile driver from outside of the box that was tipped over by Sams.

On the hour mark Lions’ efforts were rewarded with an equaliser that originated from an Infinity corner.

Morris picked up the loose ball from the corner and played the ball forward to Lock who turned the defence and played in Steele to slot home calmly after rounding the keeper.

On 70 minutes New earned a second yellow for pulling back Steele as he threatened to break clear and with the numbers level some big gaps were appearing on the pitch.

Lock had another great chance saved then Floyd rose above John Robb for the first time to head home a free-kick and restore the lead for Infinity.

Andover continued to push for a deserved equaliser and Aaron Black went close as the game entered added time but it was to no avail and they were denied what would have appeared to have been an unlikely point.

After the match club spokesman Chris Paris was optimistic about the way things were going at the Club. “That was a magnificent performance today and we came very close to causing an upset here.

"Their manager has just told me that we were the first team to stop them playing football this season and he was amazed at our position in the league.

"I cannot speak highly enough of everyone involved today.

"Howard Goddard told the players what was expected of them and they listened and carried out the instructions he gave them.

"We gave them a real run today and deserved a point at least. Their keeper has pulled off three fantastic saves from Shane Lock and their first goal was the best I’ve seen at this level since we’ve been doing this.

"If just one of those went our way we’d have got a point but we’ll just have to do it all again next week now instead.”

Tomorrow Lions are at home to Michelmersh and Timsbury who sit just one point and one place above them in the league. KO 3pm