LAVERSTOCK and Ford bosses Liam McConnell and Robbie Lakeman have vowed to "keep fighting" for third place in Sydenhams Division One, despite a big dip in form.

Luckless Lavvy slumped to a seventh successive defeat at Hamble Club, who were crowned league champions after winning 2-0 on Saturday.

After a goalless first half, Lavvy looked set to profit from Craig Shrimpton being sent off for violent conduct on Jamie Smith.

But the extra man had no bearing on the result as two quickfire goals from Doug Rowe and Liam Crook secured victory and back-to-back promotions for Hamble.

"Like last week, our first half performance was creditable. We were playing against a tough Hamble side who were buoyed on by the chance of winning the league," Lavvy's co-managers reflected.

"We said to the boys, stay in the game no matter how frustrating they prove to be and, up until the 67th minute, we were. The sad thing is these are goals we should be avoiding."

The crushing defeat sees Lavvy slip to fifth place, two points shy of Christchurch and a further four of Shaftesbury, who are currently occupying the all-important last promotion spot.

And they look to get back to winning ways on Saturday at The Dell against United Services Portsmouth (3pm).

"Despite the fact it's out of our hands, we will of course keep fighting," McConnell and Lakeman added.

"It's a horrible situation to find ourselves in but that's football, you have to show character at the darkest of times.

"The boys desperately want to win on Saturday, let's see what happens."