Lymington & New Milton snatched a last-minute winner to move above top-six rivals Andover in a real Christmas cracker at Fawcetts Field.

The Linnets' 4-3 verdict over the North Hampshire club means that they have now won 12 and drawn one of their last 13 games to climb to fifth place in the SWL table - their highest position of the season.

Vince Rusher had fired the Lions into a 15th-minute lead but hesitancy between the Andover keeper and his defender saw Pete Smith's teasing cross headed home by Michael Jackson on 35 minutes.

Lymington moved ahead for the first time after 55 minutes, Ben Thomson striking from the penalty spot after Kevin Reacord had been upended. And the points looked safe five minutes later when Reacord headed in from Thomson's flag kick.

But a misplaced pass by substitute Jimmy Anderson saw Phil Andrews pounce to make it 3-2 on 68 minutes and, minutes later, Callum Earl curled in a stunning 25-yard free-kick into the top corner of the net to level.

In the final minute, Thomson whipped in a free kick from the right that missed everyone to nestle into the far corner of the net.

Leaders Winchester City could even afford a missed penalty by Liam Green as they cruised to a 4-0 victory at VTFC, goal-machine Jamie Laidlaw, Ian Mancey, Mark Smith and Green all finding the net.

Thatcham Town top gun Ian Davies grabbed himself a hat-trick as the second-placed Berkshire club napped Christchurch 5-1.

Tom McCormack and Jamie Green rounded off the Thatcham tally, with Sean Bernard netting the visitors' consolation.

There were also wins for third-placed Gosport Borough and fourth-placed AFC Newbury over Moneyfields and BAT respectively.

Gosport fell behind to a 12th-minute Nicky Wyatt strike at local rivals Moneyfields but they were soon back on terms when Abs Ndoye followed up a Perry Holland shot to equalise.

The visitors took the lead just before half-time when a cross-cum-shot by Simon Stone curled in at the far post and it was quickly 3-1 after the restart thanks to Karl Lis, who chipped the keeper from 20 yards.

Wyatt reduced the arrears after 75 minutes but the home side were just unable to conjure up an equaliser.

Newbury enjoyed a more comfortable 3-0 success at home to BAT after Sam Rae headed in Adam Lang's cross on 15 minutes. Lee Chudy netted a second after 30 minutes, with a well struck 25-yard free kick by Lang sealing matters in the second half.

AFC Totton looked to be heading for a second calamitous home defeat inside three days as they trailed to a Callum Robertson goal at half-time of their clash with bottom club Downton.

But Danny Barker volleyed in Totton's equaliser on 50 minutes before Chris Marwood capitalised on a goalmouth melee to put Stuart Ritchie's men ahead.

Steve Whitcher made it 3-1 from the penalty spot after Mark Osman was brought down and James Sherrington netted a fourth for Totton from Matthew Monk's cross after 75 minutes.

Portland United's Lewis Whyton became one of the SWL's youngest goalscorers when the 15-year-old schoolboy netted on his debut to help his side to a 3-1 win against Brockenhurst at Grigg Lane.

Things started well for the Badgers when Dave Midgeley gave them a tenth-minute lead but the Dorset club rallied through Scott Dennis, Ross Doige and Whyton to distance themselves from the bottom two.

Stuart Cannie scored the only goal of the game as ten-man Wimborne Town won 1-0 at Hamble ASSC.

The Magpies lost Gareth Barnes in the first half for two bookable offences.

Faltering Bemerton Heath Harlequins are without a win in ten matches following their 3-2 demise at Bournemouth Poppies, where they led 2-0 thanks to efforts from Stuart Findlay and Neil Cole.

The Wiltshire side couldn't hang onto their advantage as Poppies stormed back through two-goal Karim Banssaouda and Alex Jones.

A twin strike by Michael Pointer plus another from Sam Hart steered Cowes Sports to a 3-1 win against Alton Town, who responded through Steve Poulton.