CHRISTCHURCH will be looking to take another step away from the Sydenhams Wessex Premier drop zone when they host whipping boys Totton & Eling tomorrow.

Priory earned some much-needed breathing space by hauling themselves out of the bottom two thanks to a 3-0 win over fellow strugglers Fareham on Wednesday.

Goals from Mark Smith, Gareth Barnes and Matt Vining saw Adie Arnold’s men chalk up their first league victory for three months and only their third of the season.

As a result, Priory leapfrogged Fareham, with defeat extending to 16 games the visitors’ winless run in the top flight, the Creeksiders’ only league win having come in mid-August.

Both Christchurch and Fareham have beaten bottom-placed Totton & Eling, with Priory hoping to complete the double when they entertain the Millers at Hurn Bridge (3pm).

Victory for Christchurch, coupled with Verwood failing to take maximum points from their Potterne Park clash with Bemerton Heath (3pm), would see Priory climb above the Potters.

Priory: Tong, Goodship, Swindlehurst, Clark, Haysom, Thoroughgood, Smith, Saxby, Barnes (Harris, 88), Lovell (Cullen, 83), Vining. Unused subs: Glatzel, Reeves, Fawcett (g/k).

  • Also in Wessex Premier, in-form Lymington will bid to extend to nine matches their unbeaten league run when they host Poppies, while Hamworthy United travel to Alresford Town (both 3pm).

Ringwood Town will be looking to make it four wins on the trot when they meet Wessex One rivals United Services Portsmouth at the Victory Stadium (3pm).