SIZZLING Stockbridge stormed three points clear at the top of the Division 2 table after retaining their unbeaten record with a sparkling 5-2 success at Hythe & Dibden.

All the damage was done in the first half as the visitors romped into a 4-0 interval lead courtesy of two goals by Charlie Spencer plus further efforts from Ryan Boare and Gavin Flye.

To their credit, Hythe & Didben rallied with two quick-fire replies of their own from Wayne Oakley and Lee Connor straight after the restart before Paul Copping chipped in a fifth from 25 yards for Stockbridge late on.

"It's certainly a very good result for us as this is never an easy place to come too," smiled Stockbridge boss Barry Andrews.

With Shaftesbury being held 0-0 by Liss and Brading Town losing their unbeaten record 2-1 at home to Whitchurch, Poole Town are second following their 6-2 victory at Petersfield.

After taking a first-minute lead, the Dolphins then found themselves 2-1 down following goals from Mark Glazier and Gavin Keogh before a Leigh Cornick hat-trick coupled with efforts from Gary Funnell, Carl Woodward and Lee Manning completed their sextet.

Tommy Killick's Poole side visit Romsey Town next Saturday and they returned to winning ways with a battling 3-2 victory at Fawley.

Paul Smith gave Romsey a half-time lead after he converted a Simon De'Ath cross, only for Dave Downie to equalise for the Oilers.

De'Ath then netted twice to give the visitors a 3-1 lead and, although Danny Robbins pulled a goal back, Fawley couldn't salvage a point.

"We haven't played particularly well but we've managed to get the right result and that's what counts," reflected Romsey manager Trevor Holmes.

Locks Heath continued their rapid rise up into fifth spot after reeling off a third successive victory with a 3-1 home win against Andover New Street.

Pete Lines netted his fourth goal in as many games to put Heath in front on 40 minutes after Andy Ricketts had nodded the ball across the face of goal, before Ricketts scored with a well-placed header to double their lead after 52 minutes.

An error by home keeper Pete Gear saw the visitors reduce the arrears but substitute Joe Morton come on to net with a far-post header and clinch all three points.

"We are progressing nicely and our next two games against Stockbridge and Lymington Town will tell us exactly where we are," said Heath manager Matt Parr.