Gosport Borough narrowed the gap on Wessex leaders Winchester City with a 2-1 home win over AFC Totton last night.
But it was anything but easy for Mick Marsh's side, who were grateful to their giant keeper Mark Brown for saving a first-half Gareth Byers penalty awarded against Adam Camfield.
Two minutes before half-time, Totton finally made the breakthrough when Borough striker Abdoulie N'Doye gave the ball away in his own half and Byers broke to set up Steele Saunders, who slid a shot under Brown.
Gosport equalised on 55 minutes when Neil Scammell powerfully headed home Ian Dyer's cross, but Brown was called on to make a couple of good saves before Totton had Saunders sent off following an off-the-ball tussle with Bjay Green.
Sniffing victory in the air, Marsh summoned Graham Lindsey off the bench and the young striker responded by firing home a late winner from an acute angle.
Victory lifts Borough up to second spot, six points behind Winchester with two games in hand, but Marsh admitted: "It was a tough game as usual against Totton.
"Graham Lindsey was on the bench because he hadn't been playing well - we've been dominating sides without scoring. Hopefully this will have done his confidence good - and ours too."
Totton chairman Richie Maton felt his team deserved more.
He said: "I couldn't have asked any more from the players - we should have come away with a point, but we were unlucky."
Kick-off at Privett Park was delayed until 8.15pm after Totton got held up in traffic in Fareham.
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