BLACKFIELD & LANGLEY or Whitchurch will make the dreaded drop through the Sydenhams Wessex League trapdoor next weekend after dazzling Downton powered their way to safety with an impressive 2-0 win at Moneyfields on Saturday.

Downton assistant manager Steve Adlam smiled: "Mitch Blake (the manager) is on holiday in Portugal at the moment and he must have rung me at least four times in the second half! - it makes it very difficult when you're trying to organise things on the touchline!

"It was an outstanding performance from the boys today to make it three wins on the bounce and all without conceding a goal - the lads want Mitch to stay out in Portugal for another week now!

"This result should see us safe for Wessex League football again next season which is fantastic news as it is this club's centenary next year," added a jubilant Adlam.

Both the Robins' goals came in the last 20 minutes, Andy McGlashan choosing the perfect moment to net his first goal for the club when he headed home at the far post from Brian White's corner kick.

Downton confirmed their coveted place in the SWL next season ten minutes from time, Neil Archer crossing to the far post where Mark Savage headed the ball back into the path of Kev Pelling to wrap up a 2-0 verdict.

Battling Blackfield & Langley were just ten minutes away from securing their place in the SWL next term but a late flurry of goals condemned them to a 2-1 defeat at nearby Brockenhurst.

"I'm absolutely gutted, with ten minutes to go the match had 0-0 written all over it," sighed Blackfield boss Tony Feeney.

"I thought that we dominated the first half with the wind and we did enough until late on when it all went pear-shaped - we just didn't do the right things defensively.

"Obviously next week's game at AFC Newbury is absolutely crucial now - we have a better goal difference than Whitchurch so we need to get a least a point," added Feeney.

Late strikes from Alan Wright and Keith Williams put the home side 2-0 up and, although Danny Mockeridge reduced the arrears for Blackfield, they were just unable to salvage what would have been a priceless point.

Bottom club Whitchurch United now go into their final game of the season at home to Cowes Sports next Saturday knowing that nothing less than a win will do after being thumped 5-2 by Thatcham Town.

Whitchurch assistant boss Gary Stockwell said: "It was probably our worst performance of the season, for some reason our players just didn't seem up for it today.

"Our defence and midfield were very poor and I have to say that we had the look of a relegated team - we now have one more last chance next Saturday," added Stockwell.

Things started brightly for Whitchurch when Gary Blenkarn gave them the lead but, by the time he had scored his side's second goal, Whitchurch old boy Mark Rees had struck twice sandwiched around an Ian Davis effort.

Davis added his second and Thatcham's fourth with Dan Oatway completing the Berkshire outfit's nap hand.

Bournemouth Poppies must be mighty relieved that they can't be relegated after sliding into the bottom three following their 3-2 reverse at Alton Town where they had held a 2-0 interval lead.

Playing with the wind in the first half, goals from Duncan Wells and Lewis Till put Poppies in pole position but Alton adopted a route one approach after the break and came out on top thanks to efforts from Simon Chivers, Mike Douglas and Gary Bennett.

"It wasn't very pretty and we've had to scrap out a result today, but I'm very pleased with the win," smiled Alton manager Dave Hawtin.