LAVERSTOCK & Ford lost a thriller to United Services Portsmouth, as their promotion push stumbled with the end in sight.

Dom Male headed them into a tenth-minute lead, but goals by Mark Robinson and Kevin Pottage turned the tables in Portsmouth's favour.

Matt Baker chased a seemingly lost cause and did well to cross for Elliott Wykes to head in and restore parity four minutes before the break.

Laverstock had their tails up and Male won a penalty, which Wykes converted in the second half.

They kept pushing forward in search of a fourth, and Portsmouth took full advantage, hitting them on the break with goals by Gary Barnes and Robin-son, clinching the win ten minutes from time.

"We did enough to win the game but we defended so poorly," said manager Gino Nardiello.

"I thought we had a good defence - but conceding 52 goals in 35 games is not good enough.

"We're missing key players like Declan McGregor, Graham Mankin, Dean Skelly and Josh Weeks, and that's the spine of the team. But we have to pick ourselves up because we play United Services again on Saturday, and we need a result."

It's the start of a busy week for Laverstock.

They take on Salisbury City in the Hospital Cup semi-final on Tuesday night, when Whites boss Nick Holmes will officially open their new stand.

Then it's a home game against champions-elect Tadley Calleva on Thursday and an away match against their main challengers for second place, Farnborough North End, next Saturday.

There is also a game at Shaftesbury to fit in, which was abandoned on Wednesday.

Laverstock will face Melksham Town in the Wiltshire Senior Cup Final at Chippenham Town's ground on Wednesday, April 23, after beating Calne Town 5-2.

10:07am Thursday 10th April 2008

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