East Cowes Vics 1, Whitchurch Utd 2

RICKY Attridge grabbed a last minute winner for Whitchurch who travelled to the Island missing four senior players.

Chris Iddles (broken leg), Alex Iddles (knee), James Hemmings (groin), and Seamus Fogarty (prior engagement) were all absent, but United still managed to maintain an unbeaten run that has now gone on for six matches.

They paid a heavy price for their hard-fought win, though. Damian Hack was stretchered off, and is out for the rest of the season with badly torn knee ligaments.

'Church were under the cosh for most of the first half as the home side played with a strong wind at their backs. But the defence held firm, and David Smalley pulled off several saves.

United withstood the pressure well, and looked dangerous on the break. Midway through the half Hack broke through from midfield, but was unable to get his shot in before being closed down by the home defence.

Sean Maye had Whitchurch's best chance just before half-time, but Newberry in the home goal pulled off a superb save; at the other end Smalley tipped over from Cantello.

Five minutes into the second half 'Church won a free kick on the corner of the box, and James Scrivens curled the free kick into the far top corner to give his side the lead.

With about twenty minutes gone, Hack, who was having an outstanding game in mid field, was stretchered off after a challenge on the edge of the visitors' box.

Within five minutes of the restart, Vics drew level with a goal that looked suspiciously offside, O'Connor firing past Smalley.

United were under the cosh as the home side sensed victory, but Paul Baker and Gary Shaughnessy shone at the back, ably supported by Smalley, who pulled off two outstanding saves.

With time running out, Maye broke and fed Ricky Attridge, who slid the ball past the advancing keeper to give 'Church a deserved but hard-fought win.