IT may only be the end of January, but there's no more betting on runaway Division 2 leaders Lymington Town to gain promotion this season.

With 16 games still remaining, John Pyatt's men now only need another six victories to mathematically guarantee themselves the Division 1 status that already looks a foregone conclusion following their 3-1 win at nearby Ringwood.

Paul Sims controlled a Steve Jenkin pass to rifle the table-toppers into a 15th-minute lead and two quick-fire efforts after half-time by Charlie Balfe and Phil Stone made it 3-0 before Nick Russon replied for Ringwood from the penalty spot.

Second-placed Poole Town are now ten points adrift of Lymington after fourth-placed Petersfield scored with the very last kick of the game to earn a 1-1 draw with the Dolphins at the Tatnum Ground.

A trademark 22-yard free-kick by midfielder Gary Funnell gave the Dorset club the lead after 30 minutes, only for them to be denied in stoppage time when a Guy Madjo effort hit the woodwork and Adam Fawcett forced in Petersfield's point-saver.

Strikes from Steve Thomas, Glen Stock and Pete Lines saw Locks Heath home 3-0 in their clash at promotion rivals Horndean, while Liss Athletic went goal-crazy against Shaftesbury in clocking up a massive 9-3 scoreline.

Sharp-shooter Steve Harding - who scored a first half hat-trick against Hythe & Dibden just ten days earlier - repeated his feat against the Dorset club and bagged a fourth after the restart with doubles from Rob Fry and substitute Micky Barrow, plus one from Graham Morrad, taking them one over the eight.

Blackfield & Langley striker Neil Williams was another hat-trick hero as the Watersiders came from behind to beat Andover New Street 4-1 at Gang Warily.

Duncan Bateman gave the visitors an eighth-minute advantage but Williams beat two players before slotting home a 28th-minute equalis-er. And then he beat five defenders to fire his side into the lead on 55 minutes.

Williams then took a pass from Danny Mockeridge and rounded the keeper to complete another hat-trick three minutes later with Lee Burch crossing for Mockeridge to bag their fourth eight minutes from time.

Two Andy Lonsdale strikes brought Hythe & Dibden back on level terms at Stockbridge after Paul Coppin and reserve team manager Andy Burgess had given the home club a 2-0 lead.

Mark Vowles' 75th-minute cross was headed into his own net by an unfortunate Hythe defender and Charlie Spencer wrapped up a 4-2 victory for Stockbridge with number four ten minutes later.

Whitchurch United boss Howard Goddard saw his new side defeat Bishop's Waltham Town 3-1 while his old club, Alresford Town, lost by the same margin away at East Cowes Vics.