BOSS Glenn Burnett was on cloud nine after watching New Milton record their second 5-1 victory in five weeks – and their fifth win of the season.

Ace marksman Alex Baldacchino and Cherries apprentice Alex Moth both hit doubles with Paul Preston also on target as the Linnets sunk Alton at Fawcett’s Field.

Baldacchino, who is on loan from Havant & Waterlooville, took his tally to 22 goals in 27 league games as Milton reached the break in the driving seat.

Moth, who is on work experience from Cherries, netted either side of Preston’s 51st-minute strike as the Linnets went some way to avenging defeats in three competitions by Alton this season.

Linnets: Rowe, Davies (Holland, 75), Donaldson, Stuart (Chester, 65), Curtis, Case, Gilkes, Barge, Baldacchino, Moth, Preston (Proctor, 70). Unused subs: Tanner, Digby (g/k).

• Dave Ewen bagged a first-half double as Poppies bounced back from an indifferent festive period to chalk up a 3-0 victory over Laverstock & Ford at Victoria Park.

Ewen, who had missed his previous penalty in the 0-0 draw with Christchurch over Christmas, put Poppies 2-0 up at the break thanks to a spot kick and a well-taken effort.

His 16th and 17th league goals of the campaign were added to by Luke Ingram as Poppies quickly banished the memory of their 4-1 hammering at Fareham on Bank Holiday Monday.

Poppies: Vaughan, M Blake (Saadi, 60), Jackson, Byrne, Daysh (Ashby, 72), Crow, Pinder, Rowley, Ewen, Ingram, Mas (Warren, 80). Unused sub: Baeza.

• Defender Shaun Brian popped up in the closing stages to rescue a point for Christchurch at Alresford Town – Priory’s third draw on the trot.

Brian’s stunning 86th-minute strike earned the visitors a 1-1 draw and came just seconds after Mike McEnery thought his goal had won it for the hosts.

Priory boss Graham Kemp said: “We dominated for long periods but kept choosing the wrong options in the final third. We were disappointed not to win but relieved to get a point in the end.”

Priory: Kearn, Costello, Legg, Crutchley, Brian, Burt (Lovell, 65), M Smith, Burden (Cooper, 75), Fairbrother, Osborne, Griffin. Unused subs: Dand, Roberts, Swann.

• Charlie Gajic’s 57th-minute effort earned Verwood a 1-0 home win over Petersfield as the table-toppers extended to 17 their unbeaten run in Wessex One.

Potters: Lynch, Evans, Delaney, Kelly, Dear, Homer, Webb, Dyer, Gajic (Elysee, 80), Haskell, Satterley. Unused subs: Wilson, Anderson, Barnett.

• Second-half goals from Martin Edwards, Tom Yeats and Dan Morrell helped Ringwood ease to a 3-0 win over Pewsey Vale at the Canotec Stadium.

Ringwood: Taylor, S Hole, Osman, Eley, Pierson, Morrell, Manning (Bailey, 85), Yeats, Edwards, Elezi, Hardy. Unused subs: Elson, J Brown, Ridout.