Alton manager Kevin Adair was delighted with his side’s efforts after they won 2-1 at Chipstead in the Combined Counties Premier Division South on Saturday.

An injury-time winner forced home by Ed Dryden sealed the win.

The pitch was a challenge for both sides, and ensured the match was an attritional battle from the start.

The hosts were quick out of the traps and took the lead on seven minutes through Conan Torpey’s goal.

Alton dug in and with Matt Benham leading by example they managed to get themselves back into the game, and marginally had the better of the rest of the first half, but goalscoring chances were at a premium.

The visitors came out quickly at the start of the second half and should have equalised just minutes in.

Benham found space 20 yards out and his shot was parried out to Siph Mdalolose, who with the goal at his mercy somehow missed the target.

Alton were now dominant and creating chances at regular intervals, but resolute defending in numbers by Chipstead kept them at bay.

The equaliser arrived on 65 minutes when Mdalolose redeemed himself with a smart finish with his left foot when he found himself one-on-one with Chipstead keeper Klevis Muca.

The Brewers pushed for a winner and it arrived in stoppage time when Dryden forced the ball home following a goalmouth scramble.

Adair was delighted to see his side pick up the three points and move up to 13th place in the Combined Counties Premier Division South table.

“It was a big game as we were only two points ahead of Chipstead before the game and they had two games in hand on us,” said Adair.

“That gap is now five points and Chipstead will need to win their two games in hand.

“Chipstead started better than us and it was disappointing to go behind, but we recovered and grew into the game.

“The pitch was difficult for both sides so it wasn’t the greatest game for the neutrals.

“At half-time we told the lads that work-rate and desire would be key in the second half.

“We got on top in the second half and Siph produced a good finish for the equaliser.

“To get the winner in stoppage time was brilliant – we don’t often score winners that late.”

Next up for Alton is a home game against league leaders Redhill at Anstey Park Enclosure on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

“We know it is going to be a tough test but we need to make sure we give Redhill a difficult game,” said Adair.