EX-Hamworthy United and Gosport defender Steve Gilbert came out of retirement to prevent “an embarrassment from escalating” during Holt United’s 6-2 defeat at Tintinhull.

Gilbert, who hung up his boots due to a serious knee injury two years ago, netted after coming on as an emergency substitute to restore some respectability to the scoreline.

“I put myself on the bench as we only had two subs,” said Gilbert, who describes himself as boss Mike Rees’s “glorified assistant”.

“Heads were dropping so I decided I would borrow some boots and shin pads. I scored with a bullet header from just inside the box and thought I was going to collapse as I was so knackered!”

Ben Sullivan had earlier netted for the second game in succession to give Holt the lead before the floodgates opened.

Wareham Rangers boss Matt Welch was left to rue some “naïve defending” after a stirring comeback from Weymouth reserves had denied them their first win.

Goals from Craig Dunn, Simon Lander and David Best gave Rangers a 3-1 half-time lead and, although the Terras drew level, Duane Hobbs’ penalty five minutes from time appeared to have won the day for the Purbeckers, only for Lloyd Beals to pop up to salvage a point.

Merley Cobham Sports suffered their first defeat since the opening day when they went down 2-1 at Shaftesbury. Sean Colohan’s opener was added to by Taylor Godden’s penalty before Grant Cormack halved the arrears.

Hamworthy Recreation maintained pole position following a 1-1 draw with Hamworthy United reserves. Peter Richmond-Cole netted for the leaders before Alex Martin replied for the Hammers.

Conor Jevon maintained his rich vein of goalscoring form by bagging a double in Poole Borough’s 2-2 draw with Sherborne Town reserves at Turlin Moor. His 10th and 11th goals of the season put Boro in the driving seat before Sherborne hit back to claim a share of the spoils.