SALISBURY conquered the pitch, a combative Rothwell side and a hostile environment to prise a hard-earned 1-0 win, thus maintaining their seven-point lead at the top of the Eastern Division table.

Already with Wayne Turk, Matt Davies and Tyronne Bowers sidelined, they were dealt a further late blow when striker Stuart Brown withdrew following an injury sustained against Newport I0W.

Nick Holmes could not conceal his delight at the three points, saying: "At the start of the season we would have been out-battled and out-fought on a pitch like that, and it shows the determination of the lads.

"We won it because we played football at times, in spite of the poor conditions. All the outfield players worked extremely hard today."

Salisbury had the best of things without netting before the break and after withstanding second-half pressure got the only goal on 92 minutes. Home 'keeper John Hughes picked up a back pass and the resulting free-kick gave Scott Bartlett the opportunity to touch the ball to Gary Funnell, who launched a pinpoint howitzer into the top corner from 15-yards.

In the aftermath Rothwell's Adam Sturgess was given a red card for foul and abusive language, but not even nine minutes of added time could deny the Whites their just rewards.

Former Havant striker Jamie O'Rourke fired a first-half brace to set up a 3-1 win for Newport IOW against Chatham.

O'Rourke opened the scoring on 16 minutes, heading home a left-wing cross from Adam Barsdell.

Four minutes later O'Rourke scored his seventh of the season after latching on to a Mark Preston through ball.

The visitors pulled a goal back on 38 minutes after Shaun Mitchell broke clear down the left and Steve Best mised two sitters that would have given Chatham the lead.

Newport then sealed their win by restoring their two-goal advantage on 80 minutes.

A goal-line clearance had denied Gareth Keeping in the first minute of the match but he bundled home a header from skipper Steve Riley.

It was the perfect response to the 3-2 Boxing Day defeat against league leaders Salisbury and player-manager Steve Tate said: "I questioned the players' ability not to take thier foot off the gas for any amount of time after the Salisbury match.

"We were very good in the first half against Salisbury but couldn't maintain it which was disappointing.

"I'm very happy because the lads responded positively and were suberb against Chatham."

Strike pair James Taylor and Warren Haughton scored a goal apiece as Havant & Waterlooville beat Hednesford Town 2-1 at Westleigh Park in the Premier Division.

Haughton gave the Hawks a deserved lead from close range on 43 minutes following a header from Taylor.

On 53 minutes Southampton-based Taylor doubled the home side's advantage, heading past Hednesford goalkeeper Michael Bingham from eight yards.

The visitors pulled a goal back after Graham Lancashire fired home a cross from fellow substitute Damien Sharie from the edge of the area.

Havant co-manager Mick Jenkins said: "We made up for the 3-0 drubbing we got at their place earlier in the season.

"It helped make up for the disappointing high-scoring draws we've had recently.

"It was a much better performance against a team that was seventh before the match so I'm delighted.

"We were wasteful at times but adjusted to the difficult conitions better than they did, I felt we deserved the win."