WOBBLING Winchester City had another prized piece of silverware wrenched from their grasp by Thatcham Town last night.

Less than three weeks after coming a cropper in their defence of the FA Vase at Bridgwater, Neil Hards's men have blown their chance of retaining the Wessex League Cup.

Despite having Paul Worsfold dismissed on 88 minutes for a second bookable offence, ten-man Thatcham pulled two spectacular strikes out of the hat to emerge 3-1 winners after extra time.

The Wessex League's top scorer Ian Davies put the Berkshire visitors ahead from Tom Melledew's 59th-minute assist, but City hit back five minutes later when Shaun Dyke's corner went straight in.

A low 20-yard free kick from Tommy McCormick restored Thatcham's lead 11 minutes into extra time and Marc Green compounded City's misery with a rising, left-foot shot from the edge of the box.

For new league leaders Thatcham, who last weekend replaced reigning champions Winchester in pole position, it was an excellent night all round.

Not only are they through to a two-legged League Cup semi-final against Poole Town, but title rivals Gosport Borough slipped up 1-0 in the league at BAT.

The Tobaccomen's boss Andy Leader, above, is a former player-coach of the Berkshire club and he revealed: "I rang Thatcham this week to say well done and enjoy your time at the top.

"I told Steve Melledew (Thatcham's chief executive) we'd do them a favour by beating Gosport - and we did!"