HERO Danny Finnigan netted one of his most imperative goals in Amesbury Town colours when the stakes were sky high.

The goal-getter turned home in the dying stages as Blues recorded a formidable 3-2 win over leaders Team Solent to blow the Wessex Division One title race wide open.

Now up to second, helped by turning over rivals Laverstock and Ford on Wednesday, they’ve manoeuvred into second and have cut the gap to four points and have a game in hand in the bag.

In what proved to be a gutwrenching contest, the Blues found themselves on the back foot for the first 25 minutes, in which they fell behind.

Rafael da Costa headed home goal number one at the far post.

Solent had further chances to extend their lead but it was the hosts who levelled seven minutes before the referee blew his half-time whistle.

A cross from the right hand side enabled Finnigan to pounce and send a driven shot from the edge of the box which ricocheted off the keeper on its way into the net.

The goal lifted Town and they went ahead for the first time two minutes after the restart when new-signing from Shrewton United, Craig Lewis, stuck a low shot beyond the diving keeper.

That goal was cancelled out when da Costa unleashed a second, this time he received a pass on the left, beat a defender to move into the box and slotted past inform Paddy Crease.

The game was up for the taking and in the 83rd minute it was Finnigan who turned home the all-important winner.

A defensive error allowed Nic Turpin to pounce and he squared to Finnigan who applied the finish.

Boss Gareth Horner declared: “I’m extremely happy with the result.”

“Obviously, on the back of the derby win against Laverstock last week, it was important we picked up another three points against the leaders.

“By winning, we have blown the promotion race wide open with Solent, Tadley Calleva, New Milton and Cowes Sports well and truly amongst it.

“The lads were great on Saturday and really dug deep in the dying minutes as Solent threw everything at us. The the centre halves were immense and when they were breached paddy in goal, he was outstanding.

The lad has grown throughout this year and installs confidence in the side.”

The weather thwarted Amesbury from cutting the gap to a point as their Tuesday night clash at Hythe and Dibden was called off.

They now go to the Isle of Wight on Saturday to take on Cowes Sports.

Horner added: “Saturday is just as important as last week as we face a tough trip to Cowes who have just signed a few new players and we go there with a couple missing but we hope to come back with something and hopefully all three points.”