THATCHAM TOWN proudly head the Division 1 table this morning for the first time under manager Jason Braidwood following a 2-1 win in their top-of-the-table clash at third-placed Wimborne Town.

Boss Braidwood smiled: "It's really fantastic to be top of the league but it's a position that truly was beyond our wildest belief.

"But all credit to our boys. They're young lads still learning the game and it's no more than they deserve. Even if we don't win the title, we're going to have a big say in who does as we still have to play Gosport, Lymington & New Milton and AFC Newbury," said Braidwood.

A well-worked short corner saw Tom McCormick cross for Ashley Perry to head the Berkshire side into a 20th-minute lead at The Cuthbury, only for Mick Coleman to scramble in a Wimborne equaliser ten minutes later.

With six minutes remaining, Magpies' striker Stuart Cannie was red-carded for a second bookable offence and then McCormick sent Thatcham soaring to the summit by drilling home their winner with just two minutes left on the clock.

Lymington & New Milton leapfrog Wimborne into third spot after carving out an important 2-1 home win against Moneyfields ahead of next Saturday's FA Vase fifth round clash at Bury Town.

"We got the three points but it wasn't an inspiring game," admitted Linnets' assistant manager Richie Phippard.

A well-worked short corner ended with Kev Reacord crossing for Darren Powell to head the ball back across goal for Paul Towler to open the scoring after 62 minutes.

Nicky Wyatt's near-post finish brought Moneyfields back on terms in the 70th minute but Lymington grabbed all three points when Reacord scored with a far-post header five minutes from time.

AFC Newbury, the SWL's only other Vase representatives, also collected maximum points with a 3-1 win at bottom club Hamble ASSC.

Lance Spencer lobbed the home keeper to give Newbury the lead on 20 minutes before skipper Adam Lang powered a 43rd-minute free kick into the top corner to double their advantage.

Richard Morse pulled a goal back for the Planemakers after 65 minutes and Ross Bottomley unluckily hit a post before Shane Small-King wrapped up the points for the Berkshire club.

An unstoppable 25-yard drive by Danny Sturman gave fifth-placed Gosport Borough a battling 1-0 victory over a re-vitalised Downton side at Privett Park. Borough boss Mick Marsh said: "Downton don't look like a side that are about to be relegated."

Vince Rusher was the Andover hat-trick hero as the North Hampshire club knocked in five unanswered goals against Brockenhurst at Grigg Lane.

Rusher netted with two well-taken free kicks after 30 and 55 minutes which were sandwiched around a first-half strike by Danny Lewis.

Rusher completed his hat-trick with a simple tap-in midway through the second half and Justin Bennett hit their fifth after 80 minutes. Brock's misery was complete when they missed a late penalty.

After being outplayed for the opening 20 minutes, Christchurch recovered to thump AFC Totton 4-1 at Hurn Bridge.

Seventeen-year-old Steve Bernard put Pete Moore's side on their way against the run of play after 20 minutes and Richard Bentley bagged a second before half time.

Gareth Byers reduced the arrears early in the second half but Bernard, with his second of the game, and Ross Edwards completed Christchurch's impressive win.

BAT boss Andy Leader was a happy man after seeing his team notch up another clean sheet in a 2-0 home win over Alton Town.

"It's another good win and we're on a bit of a roll at the moment," smiled Leader.

Lee Hodder pulled the ball back for Matt Czaska to fire the Baccy boys ahead midway through the first half and Paul West sealed matters after 55 minutes with a terrific 25-yard shot into the top corner of the net.

Strikes by Matty Halford and Nick Collier keep Portland United deep in trouble near the foot of the table after Bemerton Heath Harlequins triumphed 2-0 away at Grove Corner.

And there was an identical 2-0 awayday success for VT FC at Hamworthy United, thanks to goals from ex-Saint Kevin Gibbons and Ian Calder.