LUCKY leaders Lymington TOWN played their 'Get Out of Jail Free' card at LISS ATHLETIC on Saturday to escape with a smash n' grab point in a 1-1 draw.
A run of ten consecutive victories looked like coming to an abrupt end for Town with Liss still leading 1-0 as the game went into the seventh minute of injury time.
Phil Stone was then dramatically brought down in the penalty area and Paul Sims stroked home the resultant spot-kick.
"I was disappointed with our performance and, yes, we've got out of jail today," smiled Lymington manager John Pyatt who also quipped: "At least Dick Turpin wore a mask!"
Liss had earlier taken the lead midway through the first half when Steve Harding headed in a cross from Ed Dunnell.
Third-placed POOLE TOWN also paid the penalty as they were beaten 1-0 by a 65th minute spot-kick at HORNDEAN.
Dolphins' keeper Kevin Scriven and home striker Ashley Howard went for the ball with the referee deeming that Scriven had fouled his man and Niall Bodin made no mistake from 12 yards.
LOCKS HEATH now leapfrog Lymington back to the top of the table following their 1-0 success against WHITCHURCH UNITED.
"We totally outplayed them but we are just not putting the ball in the net enough at the moment," said Locks Heath boss Matt Parr.
The 'Heath match-winner came after 75 one-sided minutes, substitute James Knight knocking the ball through to midfielder Andy Ricketts who coolly chipped the keeper from 20 yards.
There was also a narrow 1-0 scoreline for BISHOPS WALTHAM away at UNITED SERVICES PORTSMOUITH where Waltham boss Phil Bailey made a welcome return to management following a knee operation.
"We needed that win to push us up the league a bit. It's our first win in four games and I thought that we battled really hard for it with five reserve team players coming in for the game," said boss Bailey.
The games' only goal came inside the first five minutes, Tefick Edin rounding a couple of US defenders and then the goalkeeper to slot into a empty net.
Romsey TOWN are up into third place despite being held to a 1-1 draw on the Isle of Wight by EASTERN DOCKS: COWES VICS.
The Islanders took a 15th minute lead through a solo effort by Kieran Ford before Romsey's Simon De'Ath latched onto Simon Woodley's through ball and rounded the Vics' keeper to equalise after 30 minutes.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article