LAVERSTOCK and Ford are the new leaders of Sydenhams Wessex Division One.

They overtook Hamble after Saturday's 1-0 win over Totton and Eling before opening up a five-point gap on Tuesday night with a 2-1 victory at AFC Stoneham.

Lavvy fell behind when Tom Hogan converted the game's first chance inside two minutes.

Stoneham dominated the opening 20 minutes and Laverstock were having to defend for their lives to keep the score down.

However, on 37 minutes the visitors clicked into gear and Joe Sanger's pinpoint cross was powerfully headed home by recent signing James Vince.

Laverstock continued to threaten, Russ Jones was denied by two smart saves before the interval.

But four minutes into the second half, another inviting cross from Sanger was met by defender Phil Morgan who hammered home his header for the winner.

Co-managers Liam McConnell and Robbie Lakeman spoke to JournalSport following the win.

They said: "The most pleasing thing about this result is the way we showed incredible character to find our way into the game and take control of it. We were pinned back and Stoneham are a very tough side; taking three points from them at their ground is a big result for us.

"Big games just keep on coming and we have another stern test away to US Portsmouth on Saturday.

Elsewhere in Division One, Downton recorded a 3-2 victory over Alton on Saturday.

Matthew Cox struck twice and Footballer of the Year Shaun Prentice was also on target for the Robins.