WAREHAM Rangers battled back from a goal down to topple rivals Mere Town 4-1 and keep alive their hopes of a top-half finish in the Dorset Premier League.

Despite falling behind to Buddy O’Shea’s opener after 20 minutes, Rangers rallied through a brace from Richard Parsons and further goals from Paul Harding and Aaron Merredew.

Hamworthy United reserves continue to labour at the bottom of the pile following a 1-0 defeat at home to Swanage Town & Herston. Joshua Reavenall-Nuete got the decisive goal for seventh-placed Swans.

Chia Kinder’s 36th-minute penalty was enough for Holt United to trump Tintinhull 1-0 in a match marred by a dismissal for each side, while Cranborne were on the end of a 3-0 defeat at Shaftesbury Town who scored through James Coffin, Taylor Godden and Callum Bent.

Tobias Holmes grabbed a late double and the plaudits as Parley Sports gained a creditable point from two goals down at home to Weymouth reserves.

Carl McClements and Conor Jevon both struck in the second half for the Terras before Holmes halved the deficit on 73 minutes and levelled the match at 2-2 with five minutes to play.

Oscar Bircham’s strike on the hour gave Blandford United hope of a second-half comeback at Portland United but the Royals were convincingly put to the sword 4-1.

First-half goals from Ross Doige and Anthony Carlile had put the hosts in control before Carlile’s second and one from James Hansford sealed Portland’s success.