REIGNING champions Winchester City regained pole position following their 3-0 success at Alton Town.

Neil Hards' men survived an early scare when Alton's John Wanless rattled the City bar after ten seconds before Gary Green headed the visitors in front on 11 minutes from a Shaun Dyke corner - their 100th league goal of the season.

After 47 minutes, Jamie Musselwhite latched on to a Lloyd Webber through ball to slot past the advancing keeper and, in the final minute, he repeated the feat after Graeme Gee had put him away.

Not even Ian Davies' 35th goal of the season could keep Thatcham at the summit as they were held 1-1 away at Cowes Sports. Davies put them ahead after 55 minutes from 18 yards but Darren Powell levelled for Cowes ten minutes later.

"It was just a bad day at the office," sighed Thatcham manager Jason Braidwood. "But it was not as bad as last year - we lost 6-3 then!"

FA Vase survivors AFC Newbury were held to a goalless draw by Fareham Town, while Lymington & New Milton - who were dumped out of the Vase 3-2 at Bury Town last week - returned to winning ways at in-form neighbours Bournemouth Poppies.

"It was a pretty dour affair but, if we win our next 16 matches 1-0, then we'll be saying what a good side we are" smiled Lymington manager Ian Robinson.

The Linnets' winner came after 75 minutes, Darren Curtis just managing to get ahead of his marker to tuck away a Darren Powell free-kick.