A RARE home defeat for Gosport & Fareham, their first on the fortress Gosport Park pitch for two-and-a-half years, has put a major dent in the blue and golds' hopes of reaching the play-off places at the end of the season.

Their first home loss since the 22-32 reverse to Maidstone in April 2002 - excluding that at Fort Blockhouse to Richmond earlier this year - was surprising as much as it was disappointing.

They fell to third-placed Lewes 13-7 in a game that saw lock Trevor McAlister dismissed and prop Stuart Guilbert yellow carded. Gosport dominated the second half but could not turn their pressure into points.

It was Lewes that came away with the points in the 71st minute - a penalty - and Gosport were left to rue the missed chances that leaves them fourth and plenty to consider ahead of next week's crunch local derby with Portsmouth.

Road works meant Portsmouth arrived late at Old Mid-Whitgiftian.

Stuart McLaughlin scored a fine try just before half-time to ease Portsmouth into the game after much defending.

Two penalties in reply made them sweat as they missed flanker Brendan Treacey but a classy touch of footballing skill from Neil Styles, who dribbled the ball through the OMW defence and kicked ahead for Ogi Ofuasia to score, saved the day.

"We were quite happy in the end," admitted rugby manager Nigel Morgan. "But given the preparation, it was tough."

Havant just go from strength to strength, recording their fourth win in a row and are now sixth in National Division Three South - a far cry from the despair of a month ago when they were winless and without a single point at the bottom.

It was a tense encounter in which the lead was always Havant's but never by a sizeable distance until the final few minutes when Anton Petzer's try stretched the lead to 30-15. But the bottom side matched their visitors for passion and kept on their coattails throughout.

However, Director of Rugby Adam King was a pleased man. "After a difficult start, the team is beginning to believe in themselves and even though there are times when our play leaves room for improvement, we keep at it."