BLACKFIELD & Langley’s commanding lead at the Sydenhams Premier summit has been whittled away.

Andover Town pulled level on points with the Watersiders after coming out on top in Saturday’s 5-3 thriller, watched by a season’s best 265 Portway Stadium crowd.

Blackfield remain top on goal difference, but Glenn Burnett’s Andover – unbeaten after 12 matches – crucially have two games in hand.

Connor Doe took just three minutes to open the scoring for the Watersiders, punishing hesitation in the Andover defence.

But the hosts’ response was positive - Joe Chamberlain picking out Connor Cocklin who looped a 12th-minute header over B&L ’keeper Brad Snelling.

At that point Blackfield were marginally on top, but Town ’keeper Lloyd Thomas made a smart stop from Jamie White and Town’s back line, well marshalled by Luke Dempsey, stood strong.

With the half suddenly coming to the boil, three goals in a scintillating seven-minute spell made it 3-2 to Andover at the break.

Mike Gosney set up Town’s new strike sensation George Hallahan to make it 2-1 before Blackfield hit back through Franklyn Clarke.

Two minutes later Andover got their noses in front again as Hallahan helped himself to his fourth goal in three games following determined play by Zach Glasspool.

There was still time before the break for Andover to have a penalty appeal turned down as Hallahan threatened again and, at the other end, the woodwork denied Doe.

As Blackfield pressed for a leveller, White hit the bar at the start of the second half before Thomas denied Liam Robinson with a fine reaction save.

But the pendulum swung further Andover’s way when B&L defender Joe Byrne saw red for hauling back Alex Dockree just outside the area when the Town man was through on goal.

The home side made their numerical advantage count with two goals in as many minutes – Glasspool celebrating his 50th club appearance with a clinical finish from Reece Rusher’s delicate chip and then Jason Silver running onto a long clearance for goal number five.

Four minutes into added time Rudy Plummer, a former Andover player, scrambled home a consolation goal for Blackfield who, after 11 straight wins, have banked just one point from the last nine.

Andover tomorrow (Tuesday) host Fleetlands in the Russell Cotes Cup while Blackfield & Langley face Hedge End Town in the Southampton Senior Cup at Gang Warily.