AFC TOTTON slid back to 20th in the Southern One South & West, beaten 2-0 at Slimbridge last night.

The Stags, who travelled to Gloucestershire with an understrength squad, were floored by a swift first-half one-two from Jack Twyman and Adam Mace.

Totton had their chances - the excellent Alfy Whittingham going closest with a 41st-minute shot on the turn that was chested off the line by Ryan Thwaite.

But they lived to regret the events of the 34th and 36th minutes when Slimbridge did the damage.

First Mace supplied the cross for Twyman to steer the ball beyond Pat O’Flaherty in the Totton goal.

Then, just two minutes later, the talented winger took advantage of a poor clearance and fizzed a shot into the far corner.

Both Swans’ scorers were denied by O’Flaherty early in the second half before the introduction of under-18 starlet Callum Hellyar freshened things up for the Stags.

It wasn’t long before Hellyar made his presence felt, first setting up Curtis Young, who could only fire over, and then having a penalty shout waved away.

Another emerging U18, Harry Prisk, was also given a run-out, but it was not to be for Totton.

Both Whittingham and Harry Medway had late efforts saved before the referee turned down another penalty appeal, this time when Charlie Gunson was brought down.

By leapfrogging the Stags into 19th, Slimbridge have mathematically assured themselves of Southern League survival.

Totton still require a point to make 100 per cent certain of safety and will look to get it at home to tenth-placed Bideford on Saturday (3pm).

That said, should second-to-bottom Wantage fail to win at champions Hereford, the Oxfordshire strugglers will crash through the relegation trap door with Bridgwater.

Totton were without experienced attacking trio Nathaniel Sherborne, Mark Gamble and Mike Gosney at Slimbridge, while AFC Bournemouth loanee Connor York was on the bench.

The talented, young right-back had played 90 minutes for Cherries’ under-21s in their 4-1 win over Peterborough United on Tuesday.

Of Totton's five remaining league matches, three are at home.

Following Bideford's visit this Saturday, they entertain Bishops Cleeve on Saturday, April 15 and finish off the season against Evesham United at the Testwood Stadium on Saturday, April 22.