NEW Portland United boss Dave Court savoured his first victory in six attempts as manager with a crucial 1-0 success over Downton in their relegation six-pointer at Grove Corner.

Portland postman Court had to wait until the 85th minute before Danny Cullen's shot was parried by the Downton keeper and Lewis Whyton pounced for the goal that lifts the Dorset club seven points clear of the bottom two.

"Obviously that's a very important win for us," smiled Court. "We looked very edgy in the first half but were much better in the second period and we just about deserved our victory."

Bottom club Hamble ASSC couldn't repeat their heroics from the previous week at BAT despite taking an early lead in their 4-1 home defeat by Thatcham Town.

Ross Bottomley provided the through ball for Aiden Trevaskis to score after five minutes but Thatcham were level before half-time when Gareth Thomas crossed for Sean Cook to equalise with a simple tap-in from six yards.

Ian Davies' half-volley put the Berkshire side ahead after 55 minutes before he quickly netted his 37th goal of the campaign five minutes later. Danny Sullivan rounded the keeper for Thatcham's fourth goal ten minutes from time.

"We were well in the game at half-time but the turning point came when we lost our centre-back Ben Cummins and centre-forward Trevaskis through injury soon after half time," sighed Hamble manager Danny Bowers who, incredibly, has seven first-team players suspended for next Saturday's game at Gosport.

Thatcham still trail leaders Winchester City by three points after Neil Hards' men laboured to a 1-0 home win against Moneyfields, Graeme Gee grabbing their winning goal after 41 minutes.

After an expected move to Salisbury City fell through in midweek, Lymington & New Milton full-back Pete Smith pulled on a Linnets' shirt again and found the net in their 2-0 victory at VT FC.

Teenager Smith opened the scoring after 36 minutes when he latched onto an under-hit back-pass to round the keeper with Kevin James firing in a second on the hour mark.

The Bedlington Terriers' manager and chairman were on a spying mission at The Cuthbury to see next week's FA Vase opponents AFC Newbury come from behind to beat 1992 Vase victors Wimborne Town 3-1.

Stuart Cannie fired the Magpies into a tenth-minute lead before Shane Small-King replied for the visitors on 65 minutes with a well-taken goal that found the back of the net via both goalposts.

Anthony Alleyne teed up Lee Chudy to shoot home from 15 yards after 78 minutes and, two minutes later, substitute Ryan Williams found himself in the right place tuck the ball away after Alleyne's effort had ricocheted into his path.

High-flying Gosport Borough also came from behind to maintain their title tilt with a 2-1 success at AFC Totton.

Steve Whitcher had fired the home side into a first-half lead but Pabs N'doye equalised on 70 minutes after keeper Houkes had failed to control a backpass before Kevin Brewster fired home an 82nd-minute winner from the edge of the penalty area.

Totton's neighbours BAT were also beaten 3-0 away at Andover. Leading scorer Justin Bennett scored twice, including a penalty, but missed out on a hat-trick by putting another spot-kick over the bar.

Bobby Swayne, who was brought down for both penalties, also netted for the Lions.

A last-minute strike by Stuart Findlay gave Bemerton Heath Harlequins a 1-0 victory at Brockenhurst but left their manager Steve Slade scratching his head.

"That's nine wins in our last 12 matches, yet it's the same team that had lost 12 and drawn one of their previous 13 games. Isn't football a funny old game?" smiled Slade.

Hamworthy United ended their five-match losing sequence with a goalless draw at Fareham Town, while strikes from Matt Bowler, Michael Pointer and Elliott Day earned Cowes Sports a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth Poppies, whose reply came from Lewis Till.