A DRAMATIC, late winner from manager’s son Lewis Benson helped dig Andover Town out of a three-match losing rut against Verwood on Saturday.

Neil Benson’s men looked to be on course for another Sydenhams Premier defeat at the Portway when Tom Whelan’s first-half brace put the Potters in the ascendancy and, but for some smart saves by home ’keeper Michael Weatherall, the damage could have been greater.

But a fumble by Weatherall’s opposite number Chris Lynch from a corner allowed Ryan Inskip to head Andover back into the contest before Ike Robertson took advantage of some more bad defending to bundle home Benson’s wayward shot across goal.

Andover won it 3-2 in stoppage time when substitute Cameron Hough was fouled. Benson launched a 35-yard free kick which appeared to be searching out the head of Matt Scott, but the ball glided over the ex-Winchester defender and flew straight in.

Andover head for struggling Christchurch tomorrow (Wednesday) and this Saturday (April 4) host a home showdown against Brockenhurst who lost a seven-goal thriller at Grigg Lane.

Bournemouth Poppies edged the goal feast 4-3 through Diop Evans, Sam Pekun, Diane Bassiriki and Lewis Burgis, with Will Tickle, Tom Hill and Mark Barker netting Brock’s replies.

AFC Portchester moved to within two points of third-placed Moneyfields by seeing off Lymington Town 2-1 at Wicor Rec.

Recent American signing Nikolai Littleton and Garry Moody netted for the Royals after Lerone ‘Rudi’ Plummer had put Town ahead.

It would have been different for John Pyatt’s visitors had James Davis not missed a penalty.

Lymington’s loss drops them to seventh, level on 62 points with Blackfield & Langley who moved sixth with a 2-1 triumph at Horndean.

Second-half goals from Nick Tayler and Dan Munday tipped the pendulum the Watersiders’ way with Gavin Spurway on target for the Deans.

Blackfield travel to relegation-haunted Fareham Town this evening (Tuesday), while Horndean host Alresford.