BLACKFIELD & Langley have been dealt another injury blow as they bid to stay in the Sydenhams Premier title hunt.

The Watersiders have already been without centre-back Joey Byrne for 13 weeks due to a broken ankle and now right-back Callum Cunniffe-Pilley could be sidelined for the rest of the season with knee ligament damage.

In his absence, second-placed Blackfield had just 13 players for Saturday’s home game against in-form Alresford and ground out a pleasing 1-0 victory in difficult, blustery conditions.

The winner arrived on 34 minutes when big defender Steve Walker stayed up from a set-piece and headed home after brilliant work from Luke Winsper.

“It was tough,” admitted B&L assistant boss Chris Farrell. “Alresford played well. They’re a more than useful side who will win more than they lose.

“The weather wasn't conducive to good football and we were down to a threadbare squad with Kane Daysh coming back in at right-back to replace Callum.

“The first half was quite even, but their keeper (Dan Kempson) pulled off an outstanding save from Jamie White before we scored.

“Alresford had a go second half, but our back four played well and it was going to take something special to beat our 'keeper Brad Snelling and they didn’t have it.

“Jamie had a goal disallowed and then rounded the 'keeper from a tight angle and shot wide.”

Moneyfields stay ten points clear of Blackfield at the top with a home game against Cowes Sports to come tomorrow evening (Tuesday, 7.45).

The Watersiders are in action on Wednesday (7.45) at rock-bottom Verwood Town.

“There’s still talk of Moneyfields possibly having points deducted (for fielding an ineligible player) which may or may not happen,” said Farrell. “Even if it does, the ones potentially in the driving seat to catch them are Portland.

"They’re 11 points behind Moneyfields with two games in hand and, at the moment, they don’t look like losing. They’re a big, strong side, who are very good at home. It would be foolish to write them off.

“All we can do is keep winning. Traditionally we struggle at Verwood but, regardless, we’ve got to go there and win.”

Portland reeled off their ninth straight Sydenhams Premier victory 4-0 at Whitchurch United.

Leading by a first-half Darren Watts strike, the Islanders dominated after the break with Alex Godfrey (2) and sub Ryan McKechnie piling on the misery for the 20th-placed Jam Boys.

“I couldn’t be happier,” smiled Portland boss Gary Bailey. “Teams have gone there and struggled and their manager (Carl Bennett) said the football we played on a difficult pitch was some of the best they’ve seen, so that’s a big compliment.

“As long as we stick to that standard and play to that level, whatever the result is, I can’t ask any more of them.”

Portland, third, host Horndean on Saturday.