THE FAT lady might not be in full song yet, but she's certainly warming up her tonsils for the relegation-haunted pairing of Downton and Hamble ASSC.

Both sides go into tricky away games next Saturday, at Hamworthy and Christchurch respectively, knowing they MUST win, while hoping that Portland fail to win against visiting Gosport Borough.

After their 3-0 reverse at Cowes Sports, which leaves the club five points adrift of safety with only two games to play, Downton boss Jeff Softley admitted: "That's probably it now.

"We just didn't play and that's truly disappointing. Even two wins in our last two games probably won't be enough as Portland are very much in the driving seat now."

The Wiltshire side fell behind after 30 minutes when 17-year-old Chris Elliott pumped a terrific 25-yard shot into the top corner.

Darren Powell set-up Michael Pointer for a simple tap-in after 55 minutes with Powell chipping the keeper for number three on the hour mark.

After an injury-time equaliser salvaged them a 2-2 draw with Bemerton Heath, Hamble ASSC manager Danny Bowers, pictured, was also honest enough to reflect: "It's going to take a miracle for us to stay up."

Twice Bemerton took the lead through Neil Cole and Graham Makin with Richard Morse and then Ben Cummins equalising - the latter's far-post header deep into stoppage time rescuing the Planemakers a point.

At the top, third-placed Thatcham will be looking to upset Lymington & New Milton when they entertain the second-placed club at Waterside Park tomorrow.

"It should be very interesting as we've hit a bit of form at the right time with our cup finals coming up," smiled Thatcham boss Jason Braidwood following their 3-0 home win against Bournemouth Poppies.

Two goals from Division 1 top goal-scorer Ian Davies inside the opening 20 minutes put Town on their way, with a Sean Cook effort after 75 minutes sealing matters.

The third meeting between Gosport and Hamworthy United in the past ten days finally saw Gosport gain some revenge for their twin two-legged SWL Cup defeats by Alex Pike's men.

A 12-yard half-volley by Neil Scamell after 74 minutes and a left-footed effort by Graham Lindsey four minutes later gave Borough a 2-0 verdict.

Victory against arch-rivals AFC Totton next Saturday will guarantee BAT a top-eight finish following their 4-1 success at Alton Town.

All the goals came in the second half with Richie Gregory firing the Tobaccomen into a 55th-minute lead. Alton levelled on the hour only for Matt Czaska to beat two defenders and restore BAT's lead just moments later.

Gregory picked out Dean Platt to notch their third after 70 minutes with Phil Walsh crossing for Lloyd Jenvey to head in a fourth ten minutes from time.

Totton had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Andover at Testwood Park. Bobby Swayne gave the Lions a 15th-minute lead and Mark Osman equalised with a superb solo effort after 75 minutes.

Former Saint Dean Blake scored the only goal as Fareham Town won 1-0 at Wimborne Town.

AFC Newbury recorded their first league win in nine games with a 1-0 success at Brockenhurst, Anthony Alleyne netting after 61 minutes.

Moneyfields emerged 3-2 victors in a topsy-turvy clash at home to Christchurch.

Ian Stone put the Priory men in front before Steve Black and Lee Mould nudged the hosts ahead. James Bailey-Pearce equalised before Mould grabbed his second ten minutes from time.