TEAM Solent eased into fifth place in the Sydenhams Premier Division on Saturday with a 2-0 win at Hamworthy United.

With AFC Portchester held 1-1 at Bournemouth Poppies, the Southampton Solent University side took full advantage by reeling off their fifth straight league win.

Manager James Taylor missed the trip due to a virus, leaving assistant Kevin Braybrook and coach Mick Marsh in charge.

And it was two centre-halves that won the day for the Students with Pip Nolan and Ollie Goddard on target.

Solent return to league action tonight (Monday, 7.45pm) at home to Cowes Sports before Wednesday's big Southampton Senior Cup final against Blackfield & Langley at St Mary's (7.30pm). 

Portchester took an early lead at Bournemouth through Curt Robbins but were pegged back by a late Dave Ewen free kick as Poppies earned a share of the spoils.

Verwood Town left it even later to salvage a point, coming back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at home to Cowes Sports.

The visiting Yachtsmen appeared to be sailing to three points with goals from Dexter Malin and Jared Wetherick.

But having grabbed themselves an 85th-minute lifeline through Aaron Atkinson, Verwood struck again a minute into added time through last-gasp hero Russell Dyer.