Havant & Waterlooville used their Southampton connections to fight back for a late point in a 1-1 draw at Sutton United.

With ten minutes to go, former Saints Academy lad Brett Poate seized on a half cleared throw-in and his goalbound effort was headed just inside the post by Woolston-based substitute James Taylor.

Hawks had hit the woodwork through Bobby Howe in the first half, but they fell behind on 62 minutes when Vansittart met Peter Fear's free kick with a looping header over keeper Emmet Peyton.

After a sunny September, a cloud finally appeared over Basingstoke Town who suffered their first home defeat at the hands of Carshalton Athletic.

The only goal of the game came on 46 minutes when Nic McDonnell lobbed stranded keeper Scott Tarr from the edge of the box.

Manager Ernie Howe gambled by bringing on 17-year-old striker John Dyer and pushing three up front, but the closest they came to scoring was when ex-Totton skipper Martin Whiddett, pictured, missed from close range in the final minute.

Fortunately for Stoke, other results went in their favour, keeping them second in the Conference South.

Leaders Hornchurch could only draw 2-2 at Newport County, while third-place Grays Athletic crashed 2-0 at Weston-super-Mare.

Dorchester are level on points with Havant in mid-table after a Justin Keeler hat-trick sank Eastbourne Borough 3-1 at the Avenue Stadium.

But Steve Claridge's Weymouth are lagging in 15th place following a 2-1 defeat at Thurrock.