BAT boss Andy Leader has wished the departing Danny Bowers all the best in his new job as manager of Wessex strugglers Hamble ASSC.

Bowers was yesterday appointed successor to Larry Clay, who quit the Follands Park post on Saturday.

The Sholing-based 31-year-old led Wimborne Town's reserves to the Wessex Combination Cup final two seasons ago before pitching up at BAT. He ran their second string last year and had this season joined Leader and Mick Read on the management team.

Leader said: "I'm shocked Danny's gone but if that's what he needs to do, then he goes with our blessing. He's ambitious and he lives just down the road to Hamble."

Alan Ball's son, Jimmy, who has been working with Eastleigh's reserves, will assist Bowers as coach.

BAT got Saturday's 4-0 pasting at Lymington out of their system by drawing 1-1 at home to Portland last night.

After Richard Gregory had hit the post, Dean Platt put the Tobaccomen ahead only for the visitors to equalise with a penalty.

Leader said: "You could see why Portland were only beaten 1-0 by Winchester on Saturday. They're a totally different side now - big, strong and physical."

BAT's neighbours AFC Totton drew 2-2 at Cowes Sports thanks to Gareth Byers and a Steve Whitcher penalty. Cowes, who scored through Elliot Day and Darren Powell, had Rob Harbridge red-carded.