Baffins slipped to a narrow defeat on their first Friday night game of the season and will be disappointed not to have come away with at least a share of the spoils.

Having spent long periods of the game with ten men and a ten minute spell in the first half with nine men, Rovers were more than a match for the direct style of the hosts, as they played some neat flowing football, that Hamble found difficult to control.

Rovers went into the half time break not only a goal behind, but a man down, after a red card was shown to Owen Haly, and only referee Sam Hunt really knows why.

A brave second half fight back and an unbelievable effort from Callum Dart looked like given Rovers a share of the spoils, only to be sunk by a late winner for the hosts with minutes left to play.

The opening stages were even in terms of attempts, with Rob Taw sending in a dangerous early cross for Jason Parish for Baffins and Barry Mason doing the same for Nathan Lynch for the hosts.

George Way then found Jamie White with a corner, but the Baffins captain headed wide at the far post.

Minutes later and Parish found Callum Dart, who twisted and turned before sending in an effort that was deflected over the top by Michael Byrne.

With just twenty two minutes gone Owen Haly challenged Jordan Raguette to the ball, which looked to be fair but strong. Haly was left somewhat dumbfounded as referee Mr Hunt to the amazement of the player and the crowd showed the defender a straight red.

Having severely punished the visitors with the sending off, Mr Hunt infuriated them further by sending Parish to the sin bin, for questioning the red card.

To add insult to injury the hosts took advantage of the extra two players on the pitch and took the lead in the 33rd minute, when the ball, was played forward to Charlie Wagstaff who rode a challenge on the edge of the box, before advancing and firing past Cameron Scott.

Liam Cook then found Ryan Wilkins in the box , whose first touch was good, but his second not so, as he lifted his effort over the top.

Just before the break and only a great challenge inside his own box by Brandon Miller prevented the hosts on the possibility of extending there lead, as he denied Sam Ndlovu.

H/T 1-0

Rovers took just three minutes of the second half before the restored equal status in terms of goals, when a Taw deep cross was headed past his own keeper by Byrne.

Wagstaff regained the hosts slender advantage in the 55th minute when a scuffed effort from Wilkins fell invitingly into his path inside the box and he was allowed to turn before slotting home through the legs of Scott.

Parish should have restored the even status minutes later, when Dale Mason brought the ball down on the halfway line, before switching the ball to Dart, who found the Baffins striker, whose effort was saved by Rory Anderson.

Parish again had a chance to level the scores,having been found by Mason, but again Anderson come out on top, denying hi at the near post.

Eventually Dart did equalise in the 66th minute and what a goal it was, as the ball, came over, he flicked it over the head of his marker with his right foot, turned and sent a left foot dipping volley into the net past the stranded Anderson.

Wilkins could have regained the lead for the hosts, but was denied by a great save from Scott, with Taw clearing up after the keeper.

With the game heading towards a draw Parish raced clear and let fly with a long range effort that flew just wide.

The hosts broke down the left in the 88th minute and eventually crossed for the unmarked Raguette, who had ghosted in at the back post to fire home.

F/T 3-2

Baffins:- Scott, Burgess, Glen, White, Haly, Miller, Taw, Way, Parish, Dart, Mason

Subs:- Carter, Kamara, Burns, Andrews