SOUTHAMPTON 1 Letchworth 0. It's a result which could have a far reaching effect on Southampton's survival prospects in EHA Women's League, Division 3.

Naomi Dunn's second-half strike settled a basement six-pointer and gave Southampton vital breathing space in the relegation scrap.

Southampton took control from the start but, despite their domination, failed to turn their chances into goals.

The city club played some neat triangles and, seven minutes into the second half, got the crucial breakthrough - Dunn deflecting a Michelle Jacobs cross past the visitors' keeper.

The Midlanders tried desperately to salvage a draw late on, but were thwarted by Linda Durham's last-gasp save which ensured Southampton go into Christmas five points clear of bottom place.

Trojans face an anxious six-week mid-season break before resuming the battle to avoid an immediate return from EHA Womens League Premier Division 1.

Going into the New Year shutdown, last season's Division 2 winners lie in the third-from-bottom play-off place, just one point above cup quarter-finalists Doncaster and three adrift of Clifton and Harleston Magpies, the two clubs immediately above them.

When the programme resumes in early February, two tough games loom large - a home match against Fyffes Leicester, who have already beaten them twice this term, followed by a visit to leaders Chelmsford.

But Trojans could get a double new year boost.

Teenage left wing-back Sarah Nicholls is set to return from Woking during the Christmas transfer window - and England starlet Alex Danson might be fit after dislocating her shoulder in a bizarre fall at home.

Danson, as important to Trojans survival plans as Matt le Tissier was to Saints in the past, watched from the dugout as her teammates slugged out a mistake-ridden 1-0 defeat against title chasing Ipswich at Stoneham Lane.

The game, which seldom reached any great heights, was settled by a well-worked third-minute penalty corner strike by England star Leisa King.

It might have opened the floodgates, but Trojans rolled up their sleeves and gave as good as they could against an unquestionably more talented East Anglian side, which lost its thread during the second period.

Trojans, too often guilty of failing to release passes quick enough, had a couple of half chances to have snared a draw.

But losing by a solitary goal to one of the best sides in the country won't have done too much harm to Trojans confidence.

Their 2nd XI came within an ace of ending Aldershot & Farnham's unbeaten Hampshire League, Division 1 record at Stoneham Lane.

They led 2-0 through Georgie Cornick and Kathy James for long periods, but Aldershot hit back and grabbed a dramatic equaliser with injury time looming.