MONEYFIELDS have lodged an appeal with the Football Association against a three-point deduction.

The Sydenhams Premier leaders were found guilty by the Hampshire FA of fielding former Blackfield & Langley player Ash Howes while under suspension.

Moneys played Howes twice in the new year after signing him from title rivals Blackfield but claim they are innocent of any wrongdoing.

The Portsmouth pacesetters maintain they checked the Hampshire FA website, but could find no record of Howes’ suspension.

With Blackfield bashed by Horndean and Portland held 2-2 at Fareham, Moneyfields stretched their lead at the top to four points with a comfortable 3-1 win on the 3G pitch at Hamworthy United.

James Guthrie, Dan Wooden and Steve Hutchings cashed in for the Money men with Ed Hodges replying for the Hammers.

Moneys tomorrow (Tuesday, 7.45pm) face a huge test of their title credentials at home to manager Dave Carter’s old club Horndean.

The Deans will be targeting another big scalp having pummelled Blackfield into 4-1 submission at Gang Warily on Saturday.

Blackfield pulled themselves back on terms after falling behind to Robbie Tambling’s goal on the stroke of half-time.

Two important Tom Price stops took the wind out of the sails of the Watersiders who succumbed to punishment from Mark Smith (2) and Connor Duffin.

“Blackfield had no answer to us.” smiled Deans boss Michael Birmingham. "By the end, they had run up the white flag."

The defeat leaves Blackfield third, seven points behind Moneyfields having played one game more.

PORTLAND United have slipped four points adrift of Moneyfields at the Sydenhams Premier Division summit …but it could have been worse.

The Islanders clawed back from two goals down to secure a precious 2-2 draw at Fareham Town.

Portland appeared to be staring down the barrel of a rare defeat when Curt Robbins and Simon Woods put Fareham 2-0 up at half-time.

But the visitors responded magnificently, Alex Godfrey picking out the top corner before setting up Ryan McKechnie for the equaliser.

“We’re disappointed because we want to win games, but you’ve got to put it into perspective,” reflected Portland boss Gary Bailey.

“Fareham are second or third in the form guide and we’ve dug ourselves out of a hole.”

Portland had rolled up at Cams Alders having won 14 on the bounce.

“Any other week we’d have been saying how good a point that was after being 2-0 down,” said Bailey.

“You can’t detract from 14 wins on the bounce. It was always going to come to an end - that’s football.”

Fareham tomorrow (Tuesday, 7.45pm) host second-to-bottom Fawley AFC whose troubles deepened with a 3-1 home defeat to Bemerton on Saturday.

Kieran Roche's 60th-minute goal was scant consolation for the Oilers, who remain seven points shy of safety.