LAVERSTOCK and Ford returned after their week's break with a hard-fought victory over neighbours Romsey Town at the Dell in Wessex Division One.

The points were netted after second half strikes from Russell Jones and Rob Gallagher cancelled out Wayne Boud's opener.

Laverstock were without seven of their squad and gave a first start to new signing Max Donoghue,who partnered the versatile Christian Hurst at the heart of the defence in the absence of suspended Olly Hoare and captain Phillip Morgan.

With Adam Bourner making his first start at right back, the new-look back line kept the visitors at bay.

At the other end, Russ Jones missed a one-on-one inside 20 minutes and the Town keeper made a treble block to deny another Laverstock attack.

Eight minutes into the second half, disaster struck when a long ball over the top was met by Boud who rounded Alexis Aguer and buried his strike.

But the newlook Lavvy side bounced back by levelling matters within five minutes, Adam Jones teeing up younger brother Russell.

And things didn't stop there, the impressive Gallagher was picked out by Tom Munday to smash home from 25 yards for the winner.

Co-manager Liam McConnell said of the 2-1 win: "In total we had 12 players missing from the club, Max Donoghue's signing from Amesbury finally went through this week and he was magnificent at the back.

Adam Bourner, who has recently come into the side, was as equally impressive. If anything, we need to be more clinical in front of goal, had we been, we'd have scored eight. But three points is the most important thing."