A LATE goalkeeping blunder consigned Blackfield & Langley to a 3-2 first-leg defeat at Andover last night in the Jewson Wessex League Cup second round.

Having twice fought back from behind through Pat James and a spectacular, 35-yard Nathan Renyard volley, the Watersiders were cruelly undone in the last minute.

Reserve 'keeper Dennis Wheeler tried to roll the ball out to a defender only for Lloyd Webber to intercept and bag his second goal of the game.

Andy Forbes was the Lions' other scorer but Blackfield boss Terry Smith still felt happy to have run the mighty Wessex champions so close.

He said: "We've scored two goals against the best side in the league. I've got to be pleased with that, especially as we rested the likes of Nathan and Wayne Oakley for Saturday's six-pointer at Whitchurch."

As for Whitchurch, they have a second-leg mountain to climb after losing 3-0 to Eastleigh at Longmeadow. All the damage was done in the first half by Mike Mullins (2) and Dave Puckett.

Two ex-Newport strikers ganged up on Christchurch - Tommy Pegler and Steve Watt bagging two apiece in AFC Newbury's 4-0 home success.

Brockenhurst, too, are firmly in the driving seat after winning the away leg 4-1 at Bournemouth.

Goals by Gareth Barnes and Graeme Gee were sandwiched around two stunning second-half volleys from Guy Dipper and Barnes.

Manager Chris Collinge smiled: "It was one of our best performances of the season."

Lymington & New Milton's hopes are still alive and kicking after substitute Gareth Keeping cancelled Jamie Green's opener in a 1-1 draw at Thatcham.

Cowes Sports are also far from beaten thanks to a narrow 2-1 scoreline at Fleet. Paul Dadson and Mark Frampton edged it for the home side.