CHRISTCHURCH boss Adie Arnold targeted a swift return to the Sydenhams Wessex Premier after admitting that relegation had been his worst moment in management.

Priory's 2-1 home defeat to high-fliers Winchester, coupled with wins for fellow strugglers Fareham and Totton & Eling, meant that Arnold's men finished bottom of the standings while Fareham avoided the drop.

But ex-Verwood manager Arnold, who received fresh backing from chairperson Fiona Legg in the wake of the relegation, reiterated that he was keen to remain at Hurn Bridge next season.

Arnold told the Daily Echo: "Myself and Danny Saxby (assistant) have enjoyed a lot of good times in football but this is our lowest point. I'm the manager and I take full responsibility.

"It's a shame we didn't start the season with the players we have now. I couldn't get the squad I wanted quickly enough and we went down because we never recovered from an horrendous start.

"I'm hugely disappointed at how it's gone, naturally, but sometimes you have to hit rock-bottom to come back up and I'm hoping that's the case.

"I've taken us down and I'd like to bring us back up."

When contacted by the Daily Echo, chairperson Legg revealed that she remained "100 per cent behind the management team for next season".

Arnold added that he felt his current squad had enough talent to earn promotion from Wessex One next term, although he admitted player recruitment was on his agenda.

The boss continued: "I think we will keep the group together. The feedback I got after the game was that the players wanted to bounce straight back.

"We would look to bring one or two in but the squad we have now is definitely good enough to come back up."

Results elsewhere meant that only a huge win against Winchester would have guaranteed Christchurch's safety in the Wessex Premier.

The hosts had been dealt a blow when keeper Adam Tong sustained an injury in the warm-up and goalkeeping coach Dan Fawcett had been forced to step in.

Nevertheless, Priory took a first-half lead when, following a chaotic passage of play, Jack Lovell looped a header over City keeper Gareth Barfoot.

A defensive lapse afforded second-placed Winchester the chance to level which they duly took, Liam Robinson making no mistake after Danilo Cadete had squared the ball in the penalty area.

Cadete was again the provider after the break when he charged down the left flank and crossed low for Geoff Dunn, who slotted past Fawcett from close range.

PRIORY: Fawcett, Cullen, Dand, Grace, Swindlehurst, Saxby, Martin Smith (Vining, 70), Mark Smith, Fairbrother, Saul, Lovell. Unused subs: Glatzel, Goodship.