JOE Wood's 13th goal in all competitions helped Verwood Town distance themselves from the Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division relegation scrap with a 3-2 win over Whitchurch United.

Jordan Fisk and Aaron Atkinson were already on the scoresheet when Wood notched what proved to be the match winner, securing a fourth league win of the season for Alan Lay's men.

The Potters now have a 10-point cushion over the bottom two but Bournemouth Poppies remain embroiled in a fight for survival after losing 1-0 at home to Horndean.

Dan Hayes struck the decisive penalty at Victoria Park with Ken Vaughan's men remaining fourth-bottom and just two points clear of the drop zone.

  • Ringwood Town lost ground on the Sydenhams Wessex One promotion chasers with a 3-2 defeat at Hythe & Dibden.

Charlie Pierson's men benefited from an own goal and Mike Cowland's strike at Claypits Lane but Tim Nash, Steve Green and debutant Robbie Pittman made sure of the points for Hythe.

Sixth-placed Ringwood are now nine points behind Amesbury in the second promotion place.

At the other end, New Milton Town's struggle continued with a 6-0 thrashing at league-leaders Portland United.

The Linnets are third bottom with two wins from 12 league matches, both of which came against the teams below them in the current league standings.