SECOND-PLACED Thatcham Town trimmed Winchester City's lead at the summit to just a single point as goals from Jamie Green, Sean Cook and Tom McCormick steered the Berkshire side to a 3-0 success at Bemerton Heath Harlequins.

Title-hopefuls Wimborne Town also notched up the same winning margin at Fareham Town but Magpies' manager Paul Arnold missed the win as he was laid up with a bad back. Stuart Cooper (25) headed Wimborne into the lead and two-goal Stuart Cannie edged them to within two points of City.

Andover found themselves on the wrong end of a surprise 3-0 scoreline at Cowes Sports, Ollie Buckett, Michael Pointer and Matt Bowler doing the damage.

And AFC Newbury were held to a goalless draw at home by Bournemouth Poppies, who had both Karim Banssaouda and James Merritt sent-off in the last 15 minutes.

Alton Town and Brockenhurst shared the points and six goals at Anstey Road. Paul White (10) gave Brock the lead before the home side hit back to lead through Richard McCann (43) and Matt Rayner (60).

James Guetling (62) levelled for the Foresters and then Dave Midgeley (80) nudged them in front before McCann grabbed a last-minute leveller.

"A 1-0 battering" was how BAT boss Andy Leader described his team's 1-0 success away at Christchurch. Their match-winner came after 50 minutes, when a Paul West corner was flicked on by Dave Marden for Richie Gregory to crash the ball home.