Whitchurch United are hoping that finishing bottom of the table does not equal relegation.

The North Hampshire club's 1-0 defeat at Christchurch meant they finished the season with the Wessex League's wooden spoon.

But with no team due to be relegated from the Southern League into the Wessex ranks, chairman Tony Chivers is hoping that Whitchurch do not have to play Hampshire Premier football next season.

After Scott Joyce's second half goal sent Whitchurch to a 1-0 defeat in Dorset, Chivers said: "We just didn't look like scoring, it was the worst that we've played for about a dozen games.

"We seemed too nervous and might as well have thrown everyone forward and lost 4-1 but we were too afraid of losing.

"Derek Smalley has been brilliant since he took over as manager from Brian Drury 15 games ago and we're hoping that he and the players here are going to stay even if we do go down to the Hampshire League.

"We won't know for that we've been relegated until after a meeting on May 9."

Gosport BOROUGH finished as runners up after equalling their record Wessex League win - an 8-0 thrashing of BROCKENHURST.

Neil Scammell's first goal since recovering from his knee injury took his tally to 41 for the season.

It came after five minutes and set Gosport up for their biggest win since twice beating Swanage Town by the same score. But it was strike partner Mick White who finished with the biggest haul at Privett Park on Saturday after crossing for Scammell to net the opener.

A Stuart Hensman penalty and an own goal gave Gosport a 3-0 half-time lead and then White scored a hat-trick in the second half.

Two goals from defender Ian Rew, including a brilliant 72nd minute free kick gave Gosport runners up spot - thanks to Eastleigh's 4-1 win at Wimborne.

Press officer Glenn Perry said: "Mick Marsh, our manager, didn't want the players to know what was going on at Wimborne but Eastleigh helped ensure it was a good end to the season for us."

Nine-man EASTLEIGH'S 4-1 win at ten man WIMBORNE TOWN also ensured they finished the season as the Wessex league hot shots. Before the last round of games Wimborne led 112-111 but Eastleigh's haul took them to 115 league goals for the season.

Wimborne led at the break through a Darren Powell penalty but an own goal, a Phil Warner solo effort and two goals from Robbie Matthews ensured that the champions ended the season on a high.

Eastleigh equalised on the hour after a speculative cross from David Hughes resulted in an OG and five minutes later former Saint Phil Warner beat four men down the right before firing a left footed strike into the far corner.

But on 70 minutes an off-the-ball clash between Eastleigh's teenage substitute Adam Cook and Wimborne's Guy Dipper resulted in a 20 man melee.

Both midfielder Cook, who had only been on the pitch for a minute, and Dipper were given their marching orders and they were followed by Eastleigh's Stuart Kenna.

Then Matthews took his tally for the season to 45 with two late goals.

After picking up the ball inside his own half, he ran 50 yards before chipping home following a one two.

And a Hughes-led counter attack resulted in a left volley from Matthews.

Manager Paul Doswell said: "The sendings off were harsh, it was handbags stuff but it meant we had to switch to 4-3-1 and try and keep our shape."

Meanwhile, Eastleigh's reserve side clinched the Wessex Combination title with a 3-2 win against Bashley reserves, thanks to two goals from Sherif Khabzi and one from Danny Steer, while the first team were in action, capping a wonderful season for Eastleigh.

Doswell said: "I think it's the first time for about ten years that a club's first team and its reserves have won their leagues but the youth teams have done brilliantly as well.

"We've got two sides playing in the Hampshire under-16 league, one of which is made up of under-15s, and they won their league, while the under 8s won their Meon Valley title."

Totton boss John Robson admitted to being "very disappointed" at his side's failure to secure runners-up spot.

Danny Barker struck a brilliant opener from midfield and an individual goal from Ben Thomson secured a 2-0 win against Bournemouth Poppies at Testwood Park.

But Robson said: "I was very pleased with the performance against Bournemouth but we should not have lost to BAT last Monday, that cost us the runners-up spot.

"All in all I'm quite pleased with how we've done since I've been here and I was pleased for Danny Barker on Saturday. He's been brilliant for me, he's been playing at left back but we switched him to the middle of the park and he did wonders.

"Now we've got the Wessex League Cup final against Eastleigh to look forward to."

Justin Bennett struck a hat-trick as Andover won 4-1 at home to Thatcham Town.

Bob McClay equalised for Thatcham but Bennett's treble and one goal from Dean Cole was more than enough for the North Hampshire club.

Lymington & New Milton secured a top six finish after a 2-1 home win against Moneyfields, thanks to goals from Matt Town and Nigel Mottashead. Nathan Hall pulled a goal back for the visitors.

Fareham Town held off the Linnets' late challenge after a Scott Thornton goal secured a 1-0 win at Hamble ASSC.

BAT's season ended with a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Portland United, for whom Dave Whalley and Andy Turrell netted. Dave Roberts scored for BAT, but the Tobaccomen could not repeat their heroic Bank Holiday comeback against Totton.