Atherstone Towns difficult patch was extended as they were beaten 3-1 by Uttoxeter Town on Saturday afternoon.

After an even first half, Lewis Collins gave the Atherstone Adders the lead with a good finish early in the second before the hosts struck back.

Two smart finishes and a late penalty secured the points for the hosts and inflicted Atherstones fourth defeat in as many games.

The Easter weekend will see a double header of games at home as the Adders look to end the season on a high.

Off the back of difficult defeats to Lichfield City and Dudley Town, Saturday was seen as a good chance to get the train back on track. With key players returning, it looked to be an opportunity to put the defeats of the previous week behind them.

With conditions difficult due to strong winds in the first half, neither side was really able to impose themselves on the other. The midfield battle was scrappy, with Atherstone looking to utilise the pace of their forwards to hurt their hosts.

Uttoxeter did little to worry the Adders back line, but at the same time were able to deal with the threat coming at them from multiple set pieces. Ryan Quinn and Jamie Spiers both went close with efforts from free kicks from very similar positions.

Atherstone were just edging the contest going into the break, but the hosts were more than capable of catching them out on the break. As the wind dropped in the second half, the style of the game changed with both teams able to impose themselves more on the ball.

The deadlock was broken five minutes into the half, as Jake Brown was able to find a ball behind the hosts back line which Lewis Collins raced onto. With the ball bouncing and the keeper closing him down, Collins did brilliantly to lift his effort over him and into the back of the net.

The Adders looked to kick on and create more openings following the goal, but soon found themselves pegged back. A loose ball out from the back allowed the hosts to whip a ball to the back post which was headed home uncontested.

Atherstone looked to take the initiative again after the set back but came up against a motivated Uttoxeter defence contesting every ball keenly. The hosts found themselves in the lead thanks to an excellent goal, rifled in from an angle giving Finn Osborn little chance.

The Adders threw everything they had at Uttoxeter but were continually thwarted. Substitute Jes Adcock had the best chance to draw the game level, but was just off target with his back post header.

With the game drawing to a close, Uttoxeter were handed the chance to secure the points as the referee awarded a penalty for a mistimed challenge. The taker made no mistakes from the spot, adding a third goal to make the points certain.

It was another challenging day for the Adders, who were once again punished by opponents who made the most of their opportunities. As the season nears its end, the play offs are becoming more distant but there is still lots to be played for.

Next up for the Adders is a home double header over the Easter weekend. Wolverhampton Casuals will be the first visitors on Saturday 30th March, before a sharp turnaround to take on Romulus on Monday 1st April.

With the conclusion of this rollercoaster season rapidly approaching, the lads are still giving it everything to make sure it ends in the correct way. Be sure to keep getting your Atherstone Town.