HIGH-FLYING Farnborough North End were sensationally shot down 3-0 by fifth-placed Fleetlands at Lederle Lane on Saturday as the Division 3 pacesetters suffered only their second defeat of the season.

Dean Inman capitalised on confusion in the North End area to fire the Gosport side in front midway through the first half, while their keeper Aby Smith preserved Fleetlands lead with two excellent saves in one-on-one situations.

Mark Peach - the top goalscorer in Division 3 - stabbed home his 27th league goal of the season after 55 minutes and victory was assured ten minutes later when the visitors keeper lost the flight of Danny Thompson's corner kick in the low sun and the ball flew into the net off the far post.

Second-placed Colden Common are now just three points behind Farnborough with a game in hand after they scraped home 1-0 against Laverstock & Ford. Dean Higgins latched on to a 20th minute through ball from Jim Hart to lob the keeper and secure Nigel Light's men a priceless victory.

"It wasn't a spectacular game but it was a big three points," smiled Light.

Otterbourne climb up into third berth after a fourth-minute header by Owen Dowden secured them a 1-0 verdict at Netley Central Sports, while Paulsgrove are now without a win in their last three matches after drawing 1-1.

Paulsgrove fell behind to an early Aaron Wright strike in their derby clash with sixth-placed Hayling United and they were indebted to an 85th-minute equaliser by Jody Howard following a corner.

Sharp-shooting Ed Bassey bagged a hat-trick for QK Southampton, who will be disappointed with just a point from a 4-4 draw at Ludgershall Sports, where they led on three occasions. Matt Boyce also netted for QK.

Hamble Club will also be annoyed at dropped points after starring in a high-scoring 3-3 home draw with Fleet Spurs, where efforts by Chris Jones and Kev Booth plus an own goal twice gave them the lead.

A Bradley Nash half-volley from the edge of the penalty area midway through the second half clinched Tadley a surprise 1-0 verdict at Overton United, who played the last half-hour with ten men when they lost striker Lee Chambers through injury after using all three subs.

Clanfield edged home 3-2 against Ordnance Survey after the visitors had taken a tenth-minute lead courtesy of Paddy Pritchard.

Matthew Cooke levelled after 20 minutes and Roger Moore put Clanfield ahead before Ashley Wilson brought the Mapmakers back on terms.

The home side pinched the points eight minutes from time when Cooke notched his second of the game after Chris Smith had scuffed his shot.