CHRISTCHURCH closed to two points the gap on third-placed Laverstock & Ford thanks to victory over their Sydenhams Wessex One rivals at Hurn Bridge.

Dave Wrixton, Andy Masson and Stevie Rattue handed Priory a crucial 3-2 win, continuing their fine form and handing a timely boost to their promotion hopes.

Laverstock’s consolation efforts were scored by Tom Mundy and Archie Lovegrove.

New Milton Town ended a 10-game run without victory as they recorded their first win since the beginning of November.

Up against visitors Shaftesbury, who are on Christchurch’s coattails in the standings, Milton fell behind to Seb Dawes’s 35th-minute opener but Steve Flynn wasted no time in supplying the equaliser.

With 18 minutes remaining in the second period, Dom Falco edged the home side ahead and they remained in front until the final whistle.

There was certainly no shortage of goals at Romsey Town where Ringwood Town came out on top of an exciting encounter as 3-2 winners.

Lee Clark, Matt Steer and Lee Vint bagged the all-important goals for the visitors, with Sam Carter and Wayne Boud’s efforts providing little consolation for Romsey.

A late goal from Fawzi Saadi proved only a consolation as Poppies lost 2-1 at Amesbury Town in the Wessex Premier.

Ben Cook gave Amesbury the lead just short of the hour and Dave Parry doubled the advantage with 11 minutes to play.

Saadi’s 87th-minute effort failed to earn Poppies any points from the clash at Bonnymead Park.

Connor Phillips scored for Hamworthy United but they lost 2-1 at Bemerton, for whom Scott Joyce and Richard Jackson registered.

Lowly Verwood Town succumbed to defeat by the same scoreline, this time at home to Cowes Sports.

James Bergin was on target for Potters but Jordan Browne and Ollie Wilson handed Cowes the win.

Mitch Speechley-Price hit a double in Brockenhurst’s 4-2 loss at Alresford Town, Sam Burt, Chris Mason, Steve Hall and Tom Sands doing the damage for the hosts.

Goals from Andover’s Adam Grange and Harrison Fay condemned Bashley to a 2-0 defeat at Portway Stadium, while Lymington Town suffered a heavy home defeat to Sholing, despite Nick Magee’s goal.

Lee Wort bagged a brace for the visitors and Dan Miller, Dan Mason and Alex Sawyer also found the net in a 5-1 rout.