Walton & Hersham boss Mark Hams handed debuts to five new faces on Saturday, but watched as his Swans remained deep in the Ryman Division One South relegation mire.

Hams' men are now just three points above the trapdoor to the Combined Counties League Premier Division after a 3-1 home defeat to play-off chasing Hythe Town on Saturday.

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Familiar face: Ex-Kingstonian defender Gary MacDonald, far left, gets up to clear for Walton & Hersham

Former Kingstonian, Woking and Walton Casuals defender Gary MacDonald boosted the back four alongside returning former Swan Adam Fennell.

Youngsters Connor Channon and Prince M’Bengui, who has signed from Staines Town, also made their first starts for the club as did former Farnham Town front man Mark Corbett.

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Fleet of foot: Walton new boy Prince M'Bengui wrestles free against Hythe Town

Walton's veteran striker Richard Pacquette levelled Alfie May's 17th minute opener for Hythe Town, before May gave his side the lead in the early in the second half.

Frankie Sawyer completed the scoring for the visitors in injury time to leave Walton in a precarious position with less than 10 games of the campaign remaining.

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Young gun: Youngster Connor Channon, left, made his senior Walton & Hersham debut against Hythe Town of Saturday

Walton are one place and three points above Chipstead, who are in the drop zone and have one game in hand on their rivals.

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Feeling the heat: Walton boss Mark Hams enjoyed success as an assistant manager at Kingstonian 

Hams' side has lost 13 of his 16 games in charge and conceded 49 goals in the process of collecting five points from a possible 48.

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Close, but no cigar: Walton's Dylan Casey takes aim at the Hythe Town goal, but without success

The Swans head to Herne Bay on Saturday.