TITLE favourites Poole took all three points from their visit to the Bypass Ground on Saturday, but could count themselves somewhat fortunate to do so after a sterling effort by the home side.

Poole were stronger for the first few minutes, but Town soon got into their stride, Simon De'ath and Simon Woodley trying their luck with shots.

But Romsey didn't get the rub of the green, and Poole took the lead after a quarter-of-an-hour with a controversial goal. Jamaiur Rehman's pass appeared to find Matt White well offside, but with the home defence waiting in vain for flag or whistle, White advanced to beat Mike Hookway from inside the six-yard box.

It got worse for Romsey when key midfielder Andy Kemp was shown a straight card for a reckless challenge on Rehman. The resulting reshuffle, with De'ath now in midfield, saw Dean Constable ploughing a lone furrow up front; he worked tremendously hard, but to no reward.

With Eddie Carlin, Andy Foster and Paul King looking assured at the back, Romsey played more good football in the second half.

But weight of numbers told in the end, a tired defence being caught out five minutes from time by Matt Hayfield - who scored a fine second goal.

"We could have beaten them," reflected manager Trevor Holmes afterwards. "They said we would go on and beat everyone else in the league - but that's no consolation really."

Brading Town 0 Romsey Town 1 Romsey got the reward their efforts deserved on Wednesday night, when they travelled to the Island and came home with all three points.

Striker Dean Constable missed the hydrofoil, so Paul King played up front with Eddie Carlin moved into midfield. The returning Danny Belbin was given the job of shackling the dangerous Greening.

Manager Trevor Holmes' changes worked to perfection, his side continuing to look balanced and effective; their success effectively gives him another option for the future. The only goal of the game came fifteen minutes from time when a right-wing corner was headed back and the predatory Simon De'ath swivelled to fire a powerful shot past the Brading keeper. The last few minutes were the only stage of the game that Romsey were under pressure; Brading won a string of free-kicks around the edge of the box, and injury time seemed to drag on for ever. But Romsey had done enough to pocket their third league win of the season.

Town didn't just bag the three points; the home side were so disappointed at losing that they didn't go in the bar afterwards, so Romsey ate their sandwiches as well as their own!