WINCHESTER CITY thumped Pirelli General 7-0 at the City Ground - but boss John Robson was not there to see it.

Robson, director of football David Malone and injured striker Andy Forbes travelled to watch Newcastle Town, who City may face in the FA Vase next month.

Their absence did not stop the champions elect from winning in impressive fashion once again. And Robson always knew what was going on.

He explained: "My number two, Neil Hards, was in charge today and I was kept up to date with how we were doing on the mobile phone!"

With Forbes ruled out with an ankle injury, it was left to former Fleet striker Ian Mancey to score his first hat-trick for the club.

Mancey scored two first-half goals as City raced into a 3-0 lead at the break and netted the first goal after the break, making it six goals in five games since his move south. Captain Danny Smith scored twice, including a 30-yard special. Left back Matt Bicknell also got on the scoresheet, as did Lloyd Webber, who netted from 20 yards.

East Cowes Vics boss Tony Newman is still without a win since taking over from Hughie Lewis following the Island side's 2-1 reverse at Stockbridge.

Martin Young got their equaliser with a deft header but it could not stop the visitors securing their sixth win of the season with the winning goal scored on the break.

Newman said: "It's very disappointing but I can't fault the players for their efforts or endeavour. We had 75 per cent of the game but unfortunately Stockbridge scored twice despite only having a few chances.

"Their goalkeeper made some tremendous saves, including one catch that he'd have done well to tip away for a corner. I've never seen anything like it."

Two-goal Jay Mann helped Andover New Street to a 2-1 win against second-placed Poole Town. And, despite a missed third-minute penalty, boss Gary Prince described his side's first-half efforts as their best performance of the season.

Poole equalised Mann's first goal shortly before the break but the striker made it two with 15 minutes left. And Prince said: "We played as well as we've done all season in the first half. We dominated the last 25 minutes as well. We hit the post twice and had two other shots cleared off the line but we had our goalkeeper Dave Tasker to thank at times, it was a really exciting game."

Ringwood are in the top five for the first time this season, thanks to a 94th-minute winner from Nick Russon at home to Hythe & Dibden.

Carl Fleet gave the New Forest side the lead at the near post on the hour but on 74 minutes Hythe equalised from a penalty after a foul by Ringwood 'keeper Steve Fudge.

It looked like a draw but Russon capitalised during a goalmouth scramble following a corner to give the home side a winner with the last kick.