LAVERSTOCK and Ford ensured their last home game of this season ended with a win with a goal that came from the unlikeliest of heroes late on.

Super sub Sammy Miller scored the winner as Lavvy beat Hythe and Dibden 1-0.

The home side started well and the returning xxx Finnigan saw his dipping volley come back off the bar inside the first five minutes and that attack set the tempo for a one sided first half.

However, despite the pressure, the score remained goalless to half-time.

Laverstock continued to pressurise their visitors, Archie Lovegrove and xxxx Jones in particular caused problems.

At the other end, the returning Olly Hoare and Christian Hurst ensured they kept any rare attack at bay, whilst being well marshalled by Adam Bourner behind them.

With time running out Lavvy introduced Sammy Miller to the fray.

It was only the second first team appearance for Miller having spent most of the season with the reserves, and with 11 minutes remaining the goal of the game and possibly the season came.

Cutting in from the left, Miller showed clever footwork to leave former Southampton great Jo Tessem trailing in his wake and from 35 yards out unleashed a humdinger of an effort that flew like a dart dipping over the goalkeeper to send the Lavvy locals into delirium.

Cries of 'Smillzy' rang out around the Dell with even the visitors bench applauding the wonder strike.

With time ticking, Hythe mounting big pressure but a combination of some well timed tackling and throwing bodies in the way, Laverstock stood strong to keep their feint hopes of promotion still alive.

Joint manager Liam McConnell and Rob Lakeman were quick to praise their shortened squad and said: "It was a tough scenario for us today, we counted 12 out for various reasons and then Spencer Horton failed a fitness test just before kick-off. So we had to regroup and change the formation. The lads were brilliant and we saw some fantastic team spirit today."

They added: "We've come off the back of a disappointing couple of results and have left ourselves a near impossible task of promotion, but while their is hope we'll keep giving everything.

"As for the goal, you couldn't have written it better, we're so pleased for Sammy, he's loyal to the club has been here through the ranks since a boy and we know he's talented so for him to step up when we needed him to was fantastic to see.

"A great reaction by everyone at the club, everyone is buzzing for him."

Lavvy are away at Romsey this evening and on Saturday travel to Tadley Calleva, before two days later finishing their campaign at Totton and Eling.