Depleted Winchester came close to pulling off an injury-time victory against relegation-threatened Tadley but lost out by the odd point.

Winch, who had 11 first team regulars injured or unavailable, went 5-0 down but got back in front with tries from hooker Chris Searle and second row Matt Golding.

But battling Tadley crossed the line once more to level at 10-10.

Pat Cheshire kept the home side in the game with a couple of penalties but Tadley moved to 18-16 ahead at half-time with one of their own and a third try.

And the visitors, who started the day rock bottom of SW3, registered a bonus point 20 minutes into the second half when they touched down again.

Another Cheshire penalty put Winchester within a converted try of victory and, following one effort that was deemed held up, it looked as if they had achieved their aim.

Tadley wheeled a scrum and Winch were awarded a penalty try – unfortunately Cheshire’s conversion attempt hurtled to the ground from the under side of the crossbar to deny his side the late win.

Tadley are just one point off third-from-bottom Portsmouth who defeated Effingham & Leatherhead 24-15.