STAND-IN boss Danny Saxby is gutted he might miss out on another plucky display after watching Verwood Town come close to toppling Blackfield & Langley.

Potters shared a 0-0 draw with the sixth-placed Wessex League champions on Wednesday but were left to rue Jack Lovell’s open-goal miss after having the better of the second half.

But while Saxby’s charges failed to finish the job, the interim manager was pleased with Town’s performance and admitted it would be hard to stay away from tomorrow’s trip to Totton & Eling (3pm) due to work commitments.

“It’s a shame because after that, I really fancy it,” said Saxby. “We did very well, showed a lot of character and I was pleased because the players put in a lot of effort.

“Ultimately, we lacked the ability to go and win it but I couldn’t knock the work rate and the way the lads took the game to them.

“I felt we deserved to nick it and they were hanging on towards the end.”

Meanwhile, chairman Steve Jefferis revealed Verwood were close to making a permanent managerial appointment. The leading candidate was set to be discussed at a committee meeting last night.

Jefferis did confirm, however, that former Cherries player John Sainty had withdrawn his interest in the role.

  • Christchurch all-but ensured their Premier Division status with a 2-1 win over relegation battlers Fawley on Wednesday evening.

Dan Saul’s second-half opener for Priory was cancelled out by Peter Keating’s effort before veteran Mark Smith sealed the hosts’ first league success since December 11 with a late free kick.

The victory moved Michael Cuffie’s men, who have no fixture this weekend, up three places to 16th, 10 points clear of the drop zone.

In Wessex One, New Milton Town host Pewsey Vale and Ringwood Town entertain title- chasing Petersfield Town (all 3pm).