A TRIO of equalisers proved in vain as Stewart Kearn suffered the first defeat of his Hamworthy United tenure in a seven-goal thriller at Brockenhurst.

Darryl Phillips bagged Brock’s opener eight minutes before the interval but Paddy Hester, pictured, levelled seconds before the half-time whistle.

Ex-Bashley midfielder Tom Hill restored the hosts’ advantage 10 minutes after the restart but when Alex Martin was sent sprawling in the penalty area, Dominic Allen restored parity from the spot.

Hill’s second with 17 minutes to play looked to have sealed the points only for Russell Cook to pounce for United in the first minute of added time.

Hammers were poised for a share of the spoils but Phillips had the last laugh, plundering a 94th-minute winner to keep Brock among the early pacesetters.

Bournemouth Poppies avenged their FA Cup exit to Bemerton Heath Harlequins with a 3-2 Wessex League victory at Victoria Park.

Sam Pekun and Lewis Burgis gave Poppies a two- goal lead but Jack Slade halved the deficit with 27 minutes on the clock.

Brad Large scored a much-needed third for Poppies four minutes after the interval and although Neil Williams quickly pulled one back, Ken Vaughan’s men held out for their third win of the season to open up a three-point gap over the bottom two.

The second-bottom slot is occupied by Christchurch following a 4-0 home defeat to Moneyfields.

Elsewhere, Verwood Town lost 3-0 at AFC Portchester, while Brad Strickland’s strike helped Lymington Town to a 1-1 draw with Fareham.

In Wessex One, New Milton Town suffered their first league defeat of the season in a 3-2 reverse against Team Solent at Fawcett’s Field.

Ringwood Town were thumped 6-0 by Tadley Calleva with the goals coming from James Milford (3), Brett Denham (2) and James Tennant.