DEVER achieved a much-needed second consecutive win, but made heavy weather of Saturday's victory over opponents from the lower reaches of the Sydenhams Wessex League Division 3 table.

It was a scrappy game on a pitch made heavy by the winter rains, but Dever created plenty of early chances and could have put the match beyond their opponents' reach had Nick Holmes brought his shooting boots with him.

Encouraged by a string of let-offs, Ludgershall rasied their spirits. But it was the hosts who took the lead when Paul Roberts tapped in a deflected shot from a goalmouth scramble.

The game then resumed its earlier pattern, and the home side became increasingly nervous as time went on and they failed to make the game safe.

It seemed those fears would be realised when a penalty was given, rather harshly in Dever's view, for a foul with just six minutes left. But keeper Dan Thebe, in for the unavailable Scott Tarran, dived the right way and made a fine save to keep his side's noses in front.

That second goal finally came late in injury time, sub Gareth Jardine tucking away a chance to seal the victory.

Dever have signed Colden Common midfielder Joey Hinchliff, who has missed most of the season so far with a broken wrist. They hope to have him available for Saturday's home game with Fleet Spurs.

Nick Holmes, meanwhile, will be taking over responsibility for running Dever's Reserve side in Combination Division 2 alongside existing boss Jane Young.

Since the Reserves have only 13 games to play and the first team have 18, it's likely he'll still be available for the firsts now and again.