AFTER 42 days without a game, Fareham Town shook off their rustiness to notch a resilient 2-1 win at Bemerton Heath Harlequins on Saturday in the Sydenhams Premier Division.

Skipper Luke Heard came the closest to making a first-half breakthrough when he bundled the ball home but had the ‘goal’ ruled out for a foul on Heath keeper Max Frampton.

But with seven second-half minutes gone, Town managed to get their noses in front when Ash Tattersall burst through and blasted into the bottom corner.

A brilliant block by Liam Kimber protected that lead and, with time running out, Town keeper TomTaylor stretched out an arm to keep out a goalbound effort by Bemerton.

Two minutes later substitute Benny Read cut in from the left and passed the ball into the bottom corner for 2-0.

A late rally from Bemerton saw them halve the deficit from a corner, but it was too little, too late for Graham Kemp's side.

Praising a “spirited and well-organised performance”, Fareham boss Steve Stone said: "I am especially pleased that the lads got a return for all their hard work, training in the mud and rain and having to turn up at various venues and surfaces to keep a semblance of fitness having not played for so long."

Fareham are due to host Folland Sports tomorrow (Tuesday) in what would be their first home game since October, but Stone cannot see it being on.

"Sadly, with the state of our pitch, a home game is unlikely in the next week or so," he said.