SALISBURY City legend Ian Chalk has been appointed co-manager of Bemerton Heath Harlequins alongside Steve Slade.

The diminutive striker fills the gap left by ex-Saints assistant boss John Sainty, who left Western Way towards the end of 2005.

It's not been the best of seasons for the Harlequins, but they were all smiles last night after a 2-1 home win over VT FC.

Having fallen behind when Mike Spinney's shot bounced over keeper Darren Crowfoot, Bemerton replied through manager's son Jack Slade, who cut inside before bending home a beauty of strike.

Top scorer Stuart Findlay then bagged the winner with ten minutes to go.

"It was a bit disappointing," admitted VT FC boss Dave Diaper. "Spinney had a header cleared off the line which would have made it 2-0 and, had that gone in, I think we would have won. But Bemerton came back with a good goal and fair play to them for that.

"We went there without two key defenders, Lee Bright and Mark Foster, and I didn't want to call on our reserves because they've got the Southampton Senior Cup final tonight (versus Mottisfont, St Mary's Stadium). I had to play Dean Byrne, who's a central midfielder, alongside Darren Curtis, who's a right-back."

Bemerton's win pulls them four points clear of 15th-placed Hamble ASSC, who slipped up 1-0 at home to Cowes Sports.

Jamie White settled the issue on 70 minutes, belting home a 12-yard strike after the Planemakers had squandered numerous chances to clear.

Hamble boss Danny Bowers gambled by leaving out skipper Dave Lewis, Richard Zammit and top scorer Dean Cole to give some youngsters an airing, but his side were toothless up front.

"If you got points for keeping possession and playing in neat little triangles we'd have about 900," he said. "But if it was for shots on target, we'd have none!

"Still, 12 months ago we were fighting for our lives and had no choice but to put our strongest side out. At least this year we're mid-table and have the luxury of being able to look at some of the youngsters and explore some different avenues for next season."