Horsham 4 Carshalton Athletic 1

Carshalton Athletic crashed to a disappointing defeat as impressive Horsham wrapped up the points by half-time on Saturday. The harsh first-half dismissal of defender David Graves added to Carshalton's problems, but by that stage they were already 2-0 down.

Horsham went in front after just five minutes when Lee Carney's long throw was headed on by Gary Charman for Carl Rook to gratefully accept the chance.

A long run by left-back Nigel Brake almost led to a second, but when his shot was bundled home by Rook, Carshalton were relieved to see an offside flag.

For a short spell the Robins got back into the game, pressing forward to deny their opponents time and space.

Craig Dundas, playing deeper than in previous games, was an example to those around him with his work rate.

James Evans had the ball in the net for the Robins, but Luke Fontana had strayed offside.

The Robins then faltered as Horsham began to threaten again.

A long ball found Westcott with space on the right and he should have done better with his low shot that passed inches wide of the far post.

The second goal was not much longer coming. Ryan Watts was easily dispossessed and a quick break down the right ended with Westcott pulling the ball back for Lee Carney to drive home.

Any hope the Robins may have clung to disappeared two minutes before the break when a strong challenge by Graves was punished by a red card from the referee to the surprise to the players of both sides who expected a caution.

Half time arrived and with it the chance for Dave Garland to sort out the players and tactics for the second period.

But the Robins suffered a further blow with the latest injury to John Cartledge that forced another change with young Moses Spencer coming on for the restart.

The Robins' 10 men briefly held Horsham, but an unfortunate bounce resulted in Spencer's hand making contact with the ball and the resulting penalty was hammered home by Carl Rook for his second goal.

As at Maidstone earlier in the week, Jack MacLeod was brought with the side three goals in arrears, this time to replace Phil Ruggles - a controversial decision among Robins supporters.

MacLeod again seemed to steady the ship by offering an outlet that had been missing for much of the game when the Robins moved forward.

Twenty minutes into the half the deficit was reduced in the simplest manner.

A run down the right by Simon Cooper ended with a long ball to the far side of the area and Ryan Watts, running in, met the ball to head past a surprised Alan Mansfield, who had been enjoying a restful afternoon.

MacLeod twice got away down the right forcing Mansfield into further saves and a little pride was being salvaged, but any lingering thoughts of a comeback were ended with a fourth for Horsham and a second for Lee who netted with a shot in the area following another save by Howe.

Dundas had a chance in the dying seconds only to underhit his shot, but the result was probably a fair reflection of the Hornet's dominance and Dave Garland will be left with lots to ponder with some tricky games ahead.

Carshalton: Howe, Cooper, Harwood, Graves, Cartledge (Spencer), Evans, Drewett, Fontana, Ruggles (MacLeod), Dundas, Watts. Subs not used: King, Day, Raynor Carshalton host Harrow Town tomorrow (Tuesday) and AFC Hornchurch on Saturday.