SPENCER Horton's solitary strike entitled Laverstock & Ford to the bragging rights and vengeance over rivals Amesbury Town in Wessex Division One.

The defender was Ford's derby day hero after he was first to pounce on an uncleared corner in the 43rd minute for the three points to stay on their enemies' tails.

Before the separating moment descended onto the Dell's pitch, still feeling the effects of the recent rain, Town looked perilous in the final third with striking partners' Callum Coker and Kristian Greer having efforts on goal.

Lavvy's slender lead was taken into the break and they could have added to it in the second 45 minutes had they converted three wellworked opportunities.

Not being able to capitalise, left Town with an outside shot of taking a point, and the emergence of Eddie Perrett and Sam Matthews strengthened their chances but they couldn't get a leveller.

“I am really happy for the lads as we have seen games like this one slip by earlier in the season and we showed great courage and determination for that not to happen this time,” said home boss Robbie Lakeman.

“I felt extra pressure going into the game as a few of their players have been with us this season and we lost the reverse fixture so it was important for us to make the home advantage count and put in a good performance, which we certainly did.

“Hopefully this will now give us a good springboard going into the remaining games as we look to finish as high as we possibly can.”

“Gareth Horner has assembled a very good squad at Amesbury and they now have some good players battling for places all over the side.”

The Amesbury head coach said: “On the balance of play, I’d like to think we could have got a point.”

“We created lots of chances and it was very disappointing not to come away with anything. But to be fair to Laverstock, their back four held on and were solid.

“We’ve got to be careful we don’t slip away and remain challenging for the top six.

“I have feeling we will thump a team at some point.”

Lavvy built on Saturday’s win with a hard-fought point at East Cowes Victoria on Tuesday night.

They head to Tadley Calleva on Saturday (3pm), while Amesbury host Fleet Spurs at Bonnymead Park (3pm).