SIMON DE'ATH took his Wessex League goal tally to 43 for the season with four strikes against strugglers Bishop's Waltham, who put up a spirited showing at the Bypass Ground on Saturday.

On paper fourth-from-top against third-from-bottom looked a comfortable home win, but Waltham had other ideas and took the lead on three occasions, maintaining their advantage at the half-time interval.

Romsey contributed to their own problems with some below-par defending and a tendency to turn into trouble with the ball in midfield instead of moving it on.

The visitors took the lead after 20 minutes when Johnny Lewis's through-ball caught Eddie Carlin flat-footed, and Jamie Simms accepted the chance.

It didn't take De'ath long to reply, however. He picked up the ball on the right flank, dummied his way inside and found the corner of James Fittall's goal from an acute angle.

The next goal went to the Bishops. Paul Clark nipped in to intercept Paul King's attempted pass to John Romero, and banged the ball past Jamie Hookway from distance.

Again, the visitors didn't hold their lead for long. Andy Kemp, lively in midfield, fed Dean Constable and the big striker was bundled over by keeper Fittall as he advanced into the box. Some in the Romsey camp felt that the keeper should have been sent off, but a penalty proved punishment enough, De'ath stroking it comfortably home for his and his side's second.

Luke Musselwhite edged the Bishops in front for a third time, beating Hookway with a lovely shot into the top corner. But with Andy McIsaacs growing in influence down the left Romsey were a different proposition after the break.

The home defence stopped leaking, and they got a third equaliser in somewhat fortuitous fashion when the ball skidded off the head of a Waltham defender, under pressure from John Romero, and past Fittall.

But there was no luck about the last two goals, which won it for the home team. Both were set up were Kemp, and both were finished by De'ath, who underlined his reputation as the division's leading marksman in fine style.

Bishop's Waltham did Romsey a big favour on Tuesday night, beating fifth-placed Petersfield 1-0 to keep them six points behind Town but with a game in hand. With an away game at Alresford tomorrow (Saturday) and home fixtures against Blackfield & Langley and l Petersfield to follow, seven points - or a win against Petersfield and a point from one of the other two games - will guarantee Town fourth place at the end of the season.