Lymington & New Milton hitman Michael Jackson ruthlessly gunned down his old club Totton - and now the towering Romsey lad has another familiar target in his sights.

It looks as if the Wessex title race is boiling down to a straight fight between the Linnets and another of Jackson's former clubs, Winchester City.

Reigning champions Winchester still hold a four-point lead at the summit after a priceless 1-0 win at Newbury, but the Linnets can breathe fire down their necks tomorrow by winning their game in hand at Alton Town.

After scoring two goals and making two more in the 6-0 dismantling of Totton, 26-year-old Jackson admitted: "It looks as though Newbury have tailed off a bit. Losing at Christchurch last week was probably a killer for them. But it's going to be really close. It could all come down to our game at Winchester (April 9)."

Having taken a knock on his ankle last weekend, former Bashley and Weymouth marksman Jackson was rated doubtful for Saturday - and how Totton must have wished his midweek ultrasound treatment had not had such miraculous effect.

Two months ago Stuart Ritchie's Stags gave Lymington a shock wake-up call when they ended their 15-match unbeaten run with a 2-1 win at Testwood Park.

But with Jackson imperious in the air and Ben Thomson and Jimmy Anderson at their silky-skilled best, there was never any danger of Linnets boss Ian Robinson being upstaged by his old club again.

Admittedly, Totton had the first real chance when Scott Bundy tested keeper Mark Watson following a mazy run down the right, but from there on in it was one-way traffic.

Having headed Linnets into a 14th-minute lead from Thomson's corner, Jackson used his aerial prowess to set up one apiece for Anderson and Mark Clothier.

Three minutes after bagging his first, Clothier struck again when Thomson's cross deflected into his path.

Jackson then got his second on 50 minutes, tucking away Darren Curtis's fabulous far-post cross for Linnets' 100th league goal of the season.

Totton pulled themselves off the canvas as Danny Barker forced a goalline clearance from Darren Powell, but the last word went to another ex-Totton favourite, Kevin Reacord, following good work by Jackson's replacement Darren Crook.

After picking up the man-of-the-match award, Jackson smiled: "I was really keen to play today. I love being involved in every game, but especially against a club I've played for - and there have been so many!

"We started off really well and kept it going, which is what the boss has ordered. In some games we've had good lead but then faded a bit and given ourselves a battle."

Saluting Jackson's contribution, Robinson said: "We took a bit of a risk playing Michael because he's been out all week with a damaged ankle, but he proved again what a good targetman he is.

"He protects the ball so well and brings other people into play."