RINGWOOD Town ended a run of 13 games without a win as they defeated Andover Town 3-1 at Long Lane on Saturday.

The club’s last win came against Fleet Spurs at the end of November but second half goals from Lee Vint and debutant Ethan Duell-Merritt secured the points.

Harry Smith tested Andover’s Dan McCarthy within the first minute as Ringwood pushed straight from the kick-off.

Andover had an early chance of their own, but Ringwood keeper Ollie Plunkett stood firm to save a one-on-one.

Chances came and went for Ringwood as Pat Corriera had several chances to put the home side in front.

But then, on 29 minutes, Corriera was able to find the net as he tapped in at the back post. Smith’s cross from the right initially found Joe Petty but the midfielder’s shot was saved by McCarthy before rebounding into Corriera’s path.

Andover levelled the tie five minutes before half-time as Joshua Bertie poked home from eight yards despite loud appeals from Ringwood’s players and fans that the striker had strayed offside.

Ringwood manager Richard Morse looked to inject some pace and fresh legs into the game just after the hour mark, bringing on Ed Fisher and Duell-Meritt for Smith and Corriera.

It did not take long for both players to make an impression. Fisher had only been on for a matter of minutes before his tricky wing-play on the left enabled him to pull the ball back for Vint to fire home from 12 yards.

On 72 minutes it was the turn of 17-year-old debutant Duell-Merritt. The pacy forward picked up the ball outside the box and drove forward before blasting his shot fiercely into the top corner.

Ringwood almost grabbed a fourth but Harrison Clark was denied by McCarthy as his shot was tipped onto the post.

The victory leaves Ringwood in 17th place in Wessex Division One, two points clear of Amesbury and just two points behind East Cowes and Whitchurch.

A turn in form could not be more timely as Morse’s side now face Whitchurch at home on Saturday, before going to East Cowes on March 21.