SWINDON Supermarine maintained their winless start to the season following a 2-0 defeat at home to Gosport Borough on Saturday.

Marine have failed to take three points from any of their first four Southern League Premier South matches but had scored twice in each fixture before last weekend.

They failed to bulge the net against Gosport, though, and went behind in the 37th minute courtesy of a superb strike from defender Harry Medway.

A long free-kick was cushioned down before being touched on to Medway outside the box. The Borough defender took aim before crashing a shot off the underside of the bar and in.

Marine’s Henry Spalding wasted a chance to equalise before half-time, blazing over after good work down the wing from Ed Williams.

Dan Wooden grazed the bar with a header shortly after the break for Gosport, a miss which almost proved costly after an under-hit clearance from Portsmouth loanee goalkeeper, Toby Steward. Unfortunately for Marine, Spalding was unable to find the net as Steward scampered back to retrieve the situation.

The visitors eventually made the game safe 11 minutes from time after substitute Gerson Ramos charged into the box and squared across goal for Medway to tap home from close range.

After four matches, Marine are 21st in the 22-team table.

Elsewhere, in FA Cup qualifying, Highworth Town safely secured their passage through to the first qualifying round courtesy of a 3-0 victory over Nailsea and Tickenham on Saturday.

Despite not being truly tested with any regularity by the Somerset club, Highworth were made to wait until the 37th minute before breaking the deadlock themselves.

Matt Cheetham’s long diagonal found Connor Mattimore on the right, and he raced clear before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting into an unguarded net.

The Worthians were given a scare when Nailsea and Tickenham struck the bar before the break, but it took just five minutes for the visitors to stretch their lead once the teams switched ends.

In the 50th minute, Mattimore’s cross from the right was headed home by Steve Robertson to give Highworth some breathing room.

The third goal arrived midway through the second half when Josh Davis cut back onto his right in the penalty area and fired into the far corner.

Highworth return to Hellenic League Premier Division action on Tuesday night when travelling to Fairford Town.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town were not in action at the weekend but are due to face Mangotsfield United at the Sustain Stadium on Tuesday night.