FORMER Whitchurch striker Mario Nurse left the basement battlers on the critical list after scoring the first goal and making the second in Andover's 3-1 victory over their north Hampshire rivals at the Portway Stadium yesterday.

Andover's clash with Whitchurch was one of only three JWL matches to survive the appalling wet weather.

And Nurse's treatment of his former teammates leaves them firmly anchored to the foot of the table with just four points.

Nurse opened the scoring after 15 minutes when his angled shot across the Whitchurch 'keeper was adjudged to have crossed the goal-line before it was hacked away by a defender.

Nurse then turned provider with a low ball across the face of goal for Dean Cole to slam home his first goal for the club and give the Lions a 2-0 interval lead.

Whitchurch, who started both halves well, pulled a goal back after 55 minutes when James Scrivens' flighted free-kick was met by Dean Robinson who powered his header into the back of the Andover net.

But, a few minutes later, Andover made certain of the points after Glen Damon challenged for a hanging cross with the Whitchurch 'keeper and, when both missed, leading goalscorer Justin Bennett was waiting at the back post for a simple tap-in.

Newbury extended their unbeaten run as a managerless side to three matches when they drew their Berkshire derby 1-1 against hosts Thatcham at the aptly-named Waterside Park.

The visitors took the lead after Anthony Allenye challenged the Town 'keeper and Daniel Mattingley swept the loose ball into the path of Steve Watt who produced a clinical finish.

Thatcham were back on terms before half-time when Newbury's unfortunate Dean Flockton headed past his own 'keeper.

Newbury's caretaker manager Jim Goslin said: "It was a very good point and I'm pleased with all the players' attitudes and performances. If they give you 100 per cent then you can't ask for any more than that."

The Wiltshire derby between Downton and Bemerton Heath Harlequins at Wick Lane was the only early kick-off to beat the weather and that finished in a 2-2 draw.

"Kevin Lumber and his groundstaff have been working on the pitch since Christmas Eve and they've done a fantastic job to get the match on," praised Robins manager Mitch Blake, who was happy with the point.

Downton took the lead against the run of play five minutes before half-time when Mark Savage laid the ball into the path of Neil Archer who fired home from 15 yards.

Harlequins levelled five minutes after the restart when their goalkeeper Colin Hopkins netted his sixth penalty of the season following a foul.

They took the lead on 70 minutes through debutant Roger Maynard, who scored with a tremendous shot from the edge of the penalty area.

But, five minutes from time, Hopkins was adjudged to have brought down Russ James as he burst into the area and Matt Guy despatched the second spot-kick of the match.

Bemerton boss Steve Slade said: "People say that it was a fair result but we totally dominated the game and basically they've only had one shot and a dubious penalty.

"But Downton have been in the Wessex League ten years now and they've still not beaten us in a league match."

Elsewhere, it was a watery picture with Christchurch's home game with Bournemouth Poppies officially called off at 9.30am yesterday morning.

Christchurch co-manager Nigel Cripps said: "To be honest we knew it was going to be off on Christmas Eve because there was so much water on the pitch, even before last night's deluge.

"I can't pretend that I'm too disappointed, though, because I'm not a great advocate of Boxing Day football at this level of the pyramid. Hopefully we'll have striker Dominic Taylor back for tomorrow's match at AFC Newbury," added Cripps.

Lymington & New Milton's home game with Forest rivals Brockenhurst was also washed out and secretary Jon Osey wasn't overly confident about tomorrow's scheduled fixture with Fareham at the flooded Fawcetts Field going ahead.

"There's been a lot of rain falling on the pitch recently and it depends how much more we get between now and tomorrow as to whether we'll be able to play or not," said Osey.

Totton's derby clash with BAT was rained off at 9.30am and their home game with in-form Hamble ASSC tomorrow is already very doubtful.

Totton manager Ian Robinson said: "The referee had mud squelching up around his ankles while he made his inspection today. To be honest we probably shouldn't have played against Fareham last Saturday."

Portland and Wimborne were ready for action at New Grove Corner when the match referee ruled the Portland pitch unplayable just 30 minutes before the 11.00am kick-off.

"It's just one of those things," sighed Wimborne boss Paul Arnold. "The pitch was okay at 8am but it kept on raining and it poured down again just as we got to the ground," added Arnold, whose game at Blackfield & Langley tomorrow will be among the favourites to survive the elements.

Both the Fareham and Hamble pitches for their games against Gosport and Eastleigh respectively were okay before Wednesday's heavy overnight rain.

Fareham's Cams Alders pitch was ruled unplayable at 8.30am and Hamble's mouth-watering clash with league leaders Eastleigh went at the same time.

Hamble boss Larry Clay said: "It's a shame because the lads are on a high at the moment and they fancied it today and it would have suited us more on a bad pitch. But at least it keeps the unbeaten record going," chuckled Clay.

The Cowes versus Blackfield & Langley and Moneyfields versus Alton matches also fell victim to waterlogged pitches.