FORMER Saints striker Nicky Banger is on stand-by for Saturday's crunch Jewson Wessex League championship decider at Calthorpe Park.

The 31-year-old from Mansbridge, who shot to fame by plundering a hat-trick on his Saints debut nearly 12 years ago, will hope to make an equally dramatic impact for reigning champions Andover at Fleet.

Just one point separates the sides as the finishing line approaches in the most open JWL title race for years.

Andover kept their noses in front with a 2-0 win at Whitchurch United last night, while Fleet had a 75th-minute Ian Mancey winner to thank for tam-ing Thatcham 2-1.

Banger, who famously marked his Saints' senior baptism by scoring all three in a League Cup win over Rochdale in October 1990, missed out on his Andover debut last night with a back strain.

And with the Lions' leading marksman Andy Forbes resting a thigh strain, it was left to Allan Kennedy and Vince Rusher to seal the all-important victory with a goal in each half.

It was a modest performance by Andover's high standards, but manager Ken Cunningham-Brown admitted he had one eye on the big finale.

"We played at a pace we felt we needed to win at without damag-ing ourselves too much for Saturday," he said.

With third-placed Totton winning 2-0 at Wimborne courtesy of two goals in three minutes from Paddy James and Martin Whiddett, Fleet have extra pressure to succeed on Saturday.

Not only could an Andover win deny them the title, but it could also wreck their hopes of Southern League football, which hinge on a top-two finish.

"Totton's result means we could finish first, second or third, which is a nightmare scenario," said manager, Steve Beeks.

"It would mean Totton winning again at Thatcham on Saturday -and if Thatcham try anywhere near as hard as they did against us, then they could come unstuck."

Fleet, who had frontman Mark Frampton playing his 500th game, seized the lead after nine minutes through Alan Carey from a well-worked free-kick routine.

Stuart Anderson rose unmarked to equalise from a 66th-minute corner, but the irrepressible Mancey settled matters with his 44th goal in 39 starts for Fleet.