WIMBORNE Town boss Paul Arnold has insisted the Wessex League title race is well and truly on, despite witnessing what he described as "the best performance I've seen from a Wessex side" on Tuesday.

Arnold was one of the 273 who watched in awe as Winchester City ruthlessly destroyed fellow title chasers Gosport Borough 6-1 at Hillier Way, with prolific frontmen Andy Forbes and Ian Mancey both grabbing hat-tricks.

However, the win still leaves City trailing the table-topping Magpies by five points at the summit although they do hold a crucial three games in hand over the Cuthbury outfit.

But while Arnold was full of praise for his main rivals, the unassuming coach believes it is very much game-on as the season enters its vital last third.

He said: "Winchester were very impressive against Gosport and they murdered them in the end. They were simply better in every department.

"It was an excellent game to watch and once Winchester stepped up a gear, they ran away with it. It is probably the best Wessex League display I've seen from anyone ever.

"They were my tip for the title at the start of the season and what I saw didn't exactly change my mind but we just have to keep going.

"But I can't simply go out and buy a couple of players as they've done. We are looking for progression and having finished fourth last year, any advance on that can be considered progress. Our players are up for the challenge and we're not giving it up yet."

Tomorrow's game with Blackfield at Cuthbury is a 'must-win' for Magpies if they're going to cling on to top spot.

And Arnold knows this better than ever after dropping two points at Totton last week: "We have to beware of complacency as it's no good doing well against the top teams if you let your guard down against bottom-half sides."