FAREHAM Town have put their faith in Pete Stiles to winch them off the foot of the Sydenhams Premier Division.

Stiles, a well-known face in local football circles, has replaced Steve Stone who was sacked in the wake of Saturday's 4-2 home defeat by Horndean which left the Reds rock-bottom of the Wessex top flight.

An FTFC statement confirmed: "The club is pleased to announce the appointment of Pete Stiles as first-team manager with immediate effect.

"He has been involved with local football for a number of years, bringing a wealth of experience working with local players.

"Pete is delighted to be offered this opportunity to manage Fareham Town FC and is looking forward to the challenge of improving the club's current position and developing local talent within the Fareham area to carry the club forward in the future."

Stiles will be joined by Rudi Hall as assistant manager. Hall is a vastly experienced player and club record goalscorer with Isthmian League outfit Enfield Town.

Stone's sacking is believed to have followed his refusal to ditch his assistant Karl Watson who had made his feelings known after Saturday's defeat, upsetting vice-chairman Dave Munday.

"I was told to sack him or resign, but I wasn't prepared to do either," said Stone.

"Then the vice-chairman came back and told me we had both been sacked."

Stone, who had been in charge for a year-and-a-half, was convinced he could have kept the club up.

Thanking the sacked manager for his "extraordinary efforts to improve the coaching and performance of the first-team, the club said: "Last season Steve guided us to a creditable mid-table position.

"Unfortunately results this season have meant we now face another relegation battle.

"We wish Steve every success in the future."

Trailing to two early Connor Duffin goals against Horndean, Fareham replied through Harry Weeks before two-goal sub Sam Smart made it 4-1 to the Deans. Liam Kimber got an 88th-minute consolation for the Creeksiders.

Fareham - away to Amesbury Town this evening - are a point adrift of Verwood and Whitchurch at the foot of table.

Amesbury came away from Andover Town with 3-3 draw on Saturday, having at one stage been two goals up through Kieran Stephens and skipper Craig Wheeler.

Andover's fightback began in stoppage time at the end of the first-half when Dylan Knight's long-range curler was swiftly followed by Javi Santafe Vivo's leveller to leave it all square at the break.

On 56 minutes, Andover took the lead when Shane Lock fired across 'keeper Paddy Creese and, as the minutes ticked by, they appeared to be heading for only their third home league win of the season.

But Amesbury had other ideas with Ali Brown grabbing a last-gasp leveller.