LAVERSTOCK edged out local neighbours Downton 3-1 under the lights at Wick Lane on Friday evening to keep their outside chance of promotion alive.

With a large crowd in attendance, both sides found the pitch conditions tricky to deal with and chances were few and far between first half. Russ Jones should have opened the scoring on 38minutes, but missed the target.

The second half saw Laverstock pile on the pressure and on 60minutes they were rewarded with the lead. Man of the match Tom Munday scored his second goal of the season unleashing a left foot rocket from 25 yards that whistled in off the upright much to the jubilation of the visiting supporters. The lead was doubled two minutes later when a pin point ball by Christian Hurst controlled by Lovegrove who then crossed for Russ Jones to chest home his 27th goal of the season.

Downton pulled one back through Tom Aldridge in injury time but Laverstock held on for the win.

McConnell said following the victory: "At any stage of the season a win in a derby is a huge result. Add in the extra pressure we have put ourselves under by trying to stay as close to the leaders as possible and it makes it even sweeter.

"The win came at a price however, Robert Gallagher came off injured early in the second half.

"For Gally to come off so early in a game tells you it's a bad one, he's the sort of player who would play through the pain but he got caught late hopefully he won't be out for too long."