REVIVED Amesbury Town flexed their muscles when the going was tough to secure derby-day pleasure over Downton FC in a Wessex Division One bonanza.

The 3-2 morale-boosting victory pulled the plug on a kamikaze March – losing four successive times to wheel out of the title race – which provided a mini-boost as the season countdown commences.

A superb finish from Eddie Perrett inside seven minutes, taking a couple of steps in the attacking third before spotting glove-man Charlie Aldridge off his line and applying an audacious lob, got the hosts up-and-running.

The Robins, who emerged at Bonnymead Park in fine form after notching double wins, found an equaliser 11 minutes later. A cutting pass found its way to Tom Aldridge whose shot crashed in despite Paddy Crease touching it en-route to the goalmouth.

After the resumption, Downton picked up where they left off and Craig Tyson was awarded a penalty after a clumsy tackle by Al McPhie. It was left to Ben Vincent to hammer home from 12 yards.

But that was as good as it got for the visitors as Blues exerted the pressure and mounted a comeback.

Just three minutes after the penalty was converted, Danny Finnigan, against his old club, took a Perrett through-ball in his stride and fired home to restore parity.

Both sides were playing attacking football and looked for the winner as the half progressed, and it was Tyler Brockway who marked his lengthy absence with a bang.

Deep into the final 90 minutes, Brockway inflicted heartache on the visitors by stabbing home Finnigan’s knock-down from Craig Wheeler’s set-piece for the points.

Relieved home boss Gareth Horner said: “It was great to get back to winning ways. For the first time in a few weeks I was able to select from a near-full strength squad which makes a huge difference. The lads battled through in some tough conditions and, in my opinion, got the three points they deserved.

“As well as having a fully fit squad, we also took some chances. which is something we have not been doing of late. The first goal from Eddie was the best you will see this year by a margin.

“And it was great to have Tyler back in the side although it was probably a week or so too early for him. He instils a lot of confidence in the side.”

“We have three games remaining and the focus has to be to finish as high as possible and start looking at next year. Since I’ve been in charge we have improved each year and that has to be the aim now.” We also have the cup final to look forward to on May 1 – before the lads take a well-earned break away together the week after.”

Downton boss Colin Hopkins says he was "pleased by the work-rate but disappointed with the result”.

His side succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Romsey Town on Tuesday.