BAT's disgraced players won back their stripes with a do-it-yourself victory at Downton.

Team boss Andy Leader and his assistant Mick Read were so appalled by Saturday's home defeat by Cowes in the Sydenhams Wessex League that they handed the managerial reins to the players last night.

The ploy worked wonders with Dean Platt, Luke Gogan and Paul West securing a 3-1 Russell Cotes success over Downton, who replied through Matthew Trollope.

Leader said: "Me and Reader were so disappointed with Saturday that we walked into the dressing room last night, put the team on the board, gave them their jobs and then left them to it.

"The boys did the warm-up on their own and we didn't go back into the dressing room or anything. We were looking for a response and the players gave it to us. Full marks, they get ten out of ten."

Graham Kemp's Midas touch continues at Brockenhurst. On a satisfying night for New Forest football, the Badgers came back from behind to beat East Cowes Vics 2-1 on the Isle of Wight. Ian Watson struck first for the Vics, but Brock responded through Newport IoW loan man Mark Isaacson and Paul White.

Hampshire Leaguers Ringwood added to their collection of Wessex scalps with a 1-0 win at Blackfield & Langley.