VT FC boss Dave Diaper admitted he was sorely missing last season's top scorer Mike Spinney in the wake of a 2-1 Sydenhams Wessex League defeat at Alton Town.
With Spinney bagging 51 goals and his strike partner Gary Male getting 50, the Boatmen cruised to the Hampshire League title last term.
But Spinney is out until the new year with a broken wrist and Diaper admitted: "We're creating lots of chances without scoring and you do miss someone pacy like Mike, who's such a good outlet up front.
"He hasn't been as prolific this season because the Wessex League's a learning curve for him, but he's as important to us as Andy Forbes was to Winchester last year.
"Gary Male's battling hard but nothing much is going for him at the moment."
Last night's result was sweet revenge for Alton, who were buried 6-0 by Vospers on the opening day of the season.
Hughie Doyle's men dominated the first half to score through Mike Douglas and Chris Monday, but they slackened off in the second and gave away a late Matt Rayner own goal from Marc Diaper's corner.
Doyle said: "That's four points we've got out of the last six, so I should be happy - but I'm not. We bossed the first half and should have done better."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article