A Whitchurch goal in the first 30 seconds proved no obstacle to Romsey Town, who consolidated their fourth place in the table with a win that was, in the end, fairly comfortable.

On a hot, sunny afternoon Romsey started the game as if they were napping on the beach. With only 26 seconds on the clock Seamus Fogarty slung over a cross from the right flank beyond the Romsey back line, and Ricky Attridge darted in to steer the ball first time past Mike Hookway and into the back of the net.

As the half progressed Romsey looked to get back on terms. Nick Thomas supplied a stream of right-wing crosses and lone striker Dean Constable contributed some darting runs. But the home defence, marshalled well by veteran Gary Shaughnessy, was in no mood for compromise.

Romsey's best chance of the first half came seven minutes before the break, when the unmarked Constable headed Simon Woodley's free-kick wide. But United could have extended their lead, Mike Hookway using his legs to deny Attridge a second goal.

The second half was a different story. The Whitchurch defence, which had performed so well in the first half, seemed to flag in the heat; Attridge, who had been United's main attacking threat, limped off injured.

Andy McIsaacs played a one-two with Simon Woodley from a corner, and fired the equaliser into the top corner on 51 minutes.

Soon afterwards Romsey took the lead when Woodley angled a free-kick across the box, Matt Holmes nodded across goal and Andy Foster bundled it in at the far post.

With Sean Maye prominent Whitchurch were still making chances, but the visitors now looked the more confident side and made sure of the three points deep into injury time. This time Woodley got to the bye-line and crossed for the hard-working Constable to crash home at the near post.

More reports, results, tables and fixtures in this week's Hampshire Chronicle.