An unbeaten three-match run has improved Hamble Old Boys' prospects of avoiding relegation from the Hampshire/Surrey Regional League.

But Winchester's ambitions of reclaiming their lost South Premier Division 2 status is fading.

Hamble collected a valuable point from a 2-2 draw with Barnes, but Winchester slipped up, conceding two late goals and losing 3-2 to Wanderers.

Duncan Marsh and Dave Foster got Hamble's goals against Barnes, but it was the Old Boys defence which took the plaudits.

Hamble had to hang on either side of Marsh's opening goal - a well executed drag-flick from a short corner - and generally held out well, despite the Thamesiders establishing a 2-1 lead. But Hamble got their just desserts when Foster equalised late on with a rasping low shot.

Winchester paid the penalty for failing to put away their chances against Wanderers at King's School.

Some initial misunderstanding in Craig Falkingham's defence led to Wanderers taking the lead, but Dan Wagstaff quickly equalised with a shot from the top of the D.

"Wanderers had a fair amount of possession," conceded Winchester player/coach Merijn van Willigen. "But time and time again we exposed their back four, without asking any serious questions of their goalkeeper."

The Dutchman gave Winchester a 2-1 lead from a short corner, but two late goals turned the result on his head.

But there's no stopping City of Portsmouth, who are one point clear at the top of the South Premier League after six straight wins.

They stayed ahead of Purley Walcountians with a 3-2 win at Chichester with Tom Boswell, John Oliver and former Trojans star John Jauncey on target.

But Fareham are looking anxiously over their shoulders at the opposite end of the table after losing 1-0 to Oxford University at Iffley Road.

"It's been an awful month for us," claimed Fareham coach Steve Godwin, lamenting on three defeats in four matches leaving the Bath Lane club just above the relegation zone.

"This Saturday's game against Old Cranleighans is crucial. We've got to win, otheriwse we've got a relegation fight on our hands after Christmas," Godwin warned.