FORMER AFC Totton goalkeeper Steve Mowthorpe pulled off a wonder save to preserve Moneyfields' ten-point lead at the Sydenhams Premier Division summit.

With 86 minutes gone at Bashley and Moneys leading 1-0, Matt Vining met a cross from the right with a delicious volley that looked destined to pull the Foresters back on terms.

But ex-Saints academy 'keeper Mowthorpe intervened in miraculous fashion, diverting it away at full stretch.

Bashley No1 Joe Prodomo was also in fine form, using his agility and bravery to thwart the league leaders time and time again.

A pity then that it was a fluke goal that beat him.

Surrounded by a posse of players, Prodomo punched a cross upwards and was unable to claim it amid the melee as the ball dropped back down. As bad luck would have it, Moneys' master marksman Steve Hutchings was on hand to bundle it home.

Moneys boss Dave Carter admitted it wasn't the prettiest of wins, but said: "Making sure we stayed ten points clear at the top was the priority."

This Saturday Moneyfields are at home to Brockenhurst, who are licking their wounds after a 3-0 home defeat by third-placed Portland United.

Livewire Ryan McKechnie was the Islanders' star man, netting a first-half hat-trick.

Brock were caught cold as McKechnie struck with a deflected effort just two minutes in.

Four minutes later he punished a short back pass for 2-0.

McKechnie completed his treble on 39 minutes, intercepting another sloppy ball across the back four and running through to score.

"We couldn't have asked for a better start," smiled Portland boss Gary Bailey. "It got us into the game and we went on and dominated."