Winchester clawed back a three-goal deficit - only to lose 4-3 to Hampshire/Surrey Regional League neighbours Hamble at Satchel Lane.

Hamble, beaten just once in their last 12 outings, controlled the first half and established a 2-0 lead through Paul Barber and Duncan Marsh.

They frittered away several good chances before teenager Rory Marsh nailed disjointed Winchester with a third before half-time.

But Winchester, whose opening 35 minutes were described as "rubbish" by skipper Mark Dobbie, hit back hard after the break with Dutchman Merijn van Willigen - taking a time-out from his coaching role with the Trojans women's team - firing home two drag flicks, which goalkeeper Mike Chalcraft might have dealt with.

Hamble's three-goal cushion disappeared altogether when Andy Winnett equalised for Winchester from a quickly-taken free-hit.

Winchester suffered a spate of yellow cards - Peter Rowland incurring the umpire's wrath twice in quick succession - and were only minutes away from snaring a point.

In a dramatic finale, Kevin Stubley hit the Winchester upright from a penalty flick - awarded for a foul on Steve Barber - but Hamble's pressure eventually paid off when Giles Matthews glided past two defenders to set up Steve Barber for the late winner.

The victory kept Hamble - who visit table topping Barnes on Saturday - within three points of Trojans, who trimmed Basingstoke 2-0 on the Down Grange water-based surface, where Wayne Shepherd scored both goals.