LAVERSTOCK’S hopes of reaching the first qualifying round of the FA for the first time in their history were dashed by higher league opposition Knaphill.

The home side were in fine form heading into this fixture, having won all four of their games so far this season, scoring 16 in the process. But it was their well organised visitors who drew first blood following a very tense opening 25 minutes.

Danger man Jimmy Norman found the top corner with a free-kick from 20 yards on 28 minutes and, despite a number of half chances for the hosts and Lovegrove crashing an effort against the bar, it was Norman who doubled the lead on the stroke of half time. Ghosting through, he neatly dinked his effort home, leaving Lavvy needing to fight back from two down for the second time in a week.

The second half saw a more aggressive, persistent Laverstock, yet Knaphill were set up well to soak up the expected pressure.

With the lively trio of Donaldson, Mulcahy and Clifton, Knaphill were being stretched more and with ten minutes remaining the game burst into life.

Skipper Mankin was thrown up top to add more pressure and he immediately made an impact.

A long ball was plucked out of the sky by Mankin who coolly lobbed the keeper from 30 yards to bring the home support into life.

Lavvy continued to press and when Brockway was hauled down in the box two minutes later Adam Bourner stepped up to smash home the equaliser sending The Dell crazy.

Ignoring the prospect of a replay on a Tuesday night, Lavvy continued to press and went in search of the winner, Knaphill’s patient football was now replaced with long ball clearances to relieve pressure, yet on 88 minutes it was a long ball that proved to be the home side’s downfall.

Another Lavvy attack was foiled and the lively Danny Turner was sent free to snatch the winner.

There was still time on 92 minutes for Turner to grab a second to add daylight to the score line.

Laverstock manager’s Rob Lakeman and Liam McConnell said: “We played a side today who will no doubt prove to be one of the most organised and well drilled sides we’ll come up against this season. This stopped us from playing in the first half and credit to them. The second goal right on half time would kill off many teams, but the belief and attitude we have is incredible right now. We are proud of the way we had Knaphill on the ropes and the comeback was not only incredible to see but deserved for the persistence and never give up attitude everyone showed.”