ANDOVER Town signed off their astonishing season with a loss on Saturday as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against relegation threatened Fareham.

Town, who played in front of a bumper 130 crowd at the Portway last weekend, conceded midway through the first half, with Ashley Tattersall scoring the only goal of the game.

However it was Town who started the brighter of the two sides after a fine run by Jordan O’Donell opened up a shot for Craig Blakeman, but it was deflected onto the post for and out for a corner.

Andover continued to push for an opener but it was Fareham who struck after 20 minutes when Bradley Norton was denied by a good save from goalkeeper Michael Weatherall.

Much to Weatherall’s dismay however the ball bounced kindly to the feet of Ashley Tattersall who made no mistake, tucking it into the bottom corner.

However Andover responded quickly and minutes later some neat football from Cameron Hough brought out a fine save from Fareham goalkeeper Luke Douglas.

Lewis Benson then forced another good save out of Douglas on the half hour mark before Tattersall came close to doubling Fareham’s lead at the other end.

Despite their effort Town went into the break 1-0 down.

Andover came out fired up for the second half and the ever threatening Michael Dixon could have had a penalty after he was upended in the box but the referee ignored his pleas.

Town then had a golden chance to equalise after Benson found Alex Dockree but his shot was saved by Douglas before the keeper pulled off a magnificent save from a Cameron Hough free-kick.

Fareham continued to look dangerous on the counter attack however and they thought they had scored a second after a mix up in Andover’ defence but the goal was ruled out for offside.

It mattered little in the end as Fareham sealed out Andover for a crucial 1-0 victory, which meant they will retain their Sydenham’s Wessex Premier Division status.

Meanwhile the loss meant Andover finish their year in a respectable 12th position despite only being promoted to the Premier Division this season.

Andover will now be looking to push on next season and after the match manager Neil Benson took time to round up their season.

Speaking on the club's official website, he said: “Our first year in the Premier Division level has been tough, but we have learned quickly, consolidated our position but, often, have been too inconsistent in our performances.

“We have taken some notable scalps and come close to others but, on other occasions, we have allowed our-selves to lose games that we should have won.

“All of that is part of football and, we start to look towards next season, both in terms of continuing to develop the squad and its ethos as a proving ground for the players that come to us through our links with Sparsholt and Andover Colleges, and those who we draw from the local area.

Addressing the fans, Benson added: “Thank you for your attendance and support throughout this season which is the envy of most in our Division.”