Romsey recorded their first win of the year with a deserved victory in the pouring rain at Jones Lane.

Town's resurgence coincided with the return of three key players.

Dean Constable was back in attack after a lengthy suspension and smashed home the equaliser from the edge of the box with his left foot.

Also back after a ban was Andy Kemp, who added bite to the midfield, and Jamie Hookway (work commitments) who headed the winner in the second half.

Despite dominating the opening stages it was Hythe who struck first when Mike Naidoo caught Romsey on the break to score from an angle.

Constable's wonder strike ensured Town went into the break on level terms.

Manager Trevor Holmes felt no need to panic at half time.

"I told the team they were playing fine but they would have to be patient to break down a well organised defence.

They kept giving away silly free kicks on the left and it was only a matter of time before we capitalised."

Simon Woodley punished Hythe in the 65th minute by whipping such a free kick onto the head of Jamie Hookway.

From six yards the midfielder glanced the ball into the bottom corner of the goal for the winner.

Holmes hopes to strengthen his squad in the coming weeks and is looking forward to the comeback of captain and sweeper Paul King, who has been missing with illness for over a month.

The reappearance of Constable gives Romsey more of a cutting edge and takes the pressure off Simon De'ath, who has been playing up front on his own.

Town had only managed one point since they last won in mid-December and Holmes is hopeful his team can recapture theirform.

"I'm very happy as we passed the ball well and dominated," he said.

"We played some beautiful football despite the rain and the boggy pitch. The movement was great and we're returning to the Romsey Town of old."