WITH four games left, Laverstock and Ford managers Liam McConnell and Robbie Lakeman are encouraging their players to “regain the team spirit and character we had created” after dropping out of the top three in Sydenhams Division One.

Lavvy endured a sixth straight defeat on Saturday following a 5-2 thumping at United Services Portsmouth.

Rivals Shaftesbury profited from Lavvy’s slip-up and overtook them in third place, the all-important last promotion spot.

Portsmouth took the lead through Mark Cotton following a goalmouth scramble.

Laverstock restored parity when Adam Jones chased down a clearance and his brother, Russell, was on hand to scoop home his 30th of the season.

The home keeper then denied Archie Lovegrove and Jones’ free kick curled just wide in an impressive half for the visitors.

But seven minutes after the break, James Cuthbert restored the hosts’ lead following a swift counter attack. Brendon Agnew then added a third from a set-piece.

Lovegrove offered the visitors a lifeline with eight minutes to go, but hopes of a comeback were extinguished moments later when two goals in as many minutes from Frankie Paige and Tom Andrews secured a home win.

“It’s been tough to visibly see the fall away of this good side,” rued McConnell and Lakeman.

“So many factors have played a part at one time or another but ultimately the buck stops with us.

“The boys were buoyant at half-time, their first half was some of the typical Lavvy performances we have been used to but the second half just left us all drained. It’s out of our hands now, for that, we have only ourselves to blame but we still have a great chance and we must regain the team spirit and character we had created.

“Four games to go, let’s see if there is another twist to this story to be told.”

Lavvy travel to champions Hamble Club on Saturday (3pm).