A HEADER from Ollie Batchelor saw Laverstock and Ford edge a tense, wintry derby over Downton at Wick Lane to stretch their unbeaten run to four matches in Wessex Division One.

The winning goal came after half an hour when a pinpoint cross from Lewis Marchment found Batchelor unmarked and he duly nodded into the far corner.

TomMundy was next to test the Downton back line when his well hit shot clipped the upright with the excellent Charlie Aldridge well beaten.

The second half was a similar affair to the first. The hosts pushed for an equaliser but Laverstock stood firm and caused problems of their own.

Kieran Mulcahy was first to see his effort rock the bar following a great Aldridge save and Lewis Wykes watched his chance to seal the points hit the post with minutes to go, but the visitors held on for the bragging rights, and secured a fifth consecutive clean sheet in all competitions.

Boss Robbie Lakeman, whose side quashed Downton’s three game winning run, said: “I have total respect for Colin Hopkins (Robins manager) and what he is doing at Downton.”

“He is a good mate of mine and I know he faces the same dilemmas every week as I do.

“I don't want to sound patronising but what he has created is a spirited bunch of lads which will work very hard for each other.

“I know he was missing a few which could have totally changed the outcome. That said, we are finding some consistency at the moment and I have to make a special mention to our goalkeeper (Lee Newman-Judd) and back four which have now kept six clean sheets in seven games which is a great achievement at any level of football."

"I am looking forward to the upcoming games against some good sides to show what we are really capable of and, if we can achieve what I'm confident of we can, we will be quietly pushing up the league.”