BAT manager Andy Leader hailed his team's performance as 'one of the best ever' after sharing six goals with championship-chasing Gosport Borough at Privett Park.

"I'm really disappointed not to have won it," reflected Leader. "We've hit the woodwork three times and, pound for pound, that has to be one of the best performances I've ever been involved with."

Richie Gregory struck twice inside the opening 25 minutes for the Baccy boys but, straight from the restart, John Cripps pulled a goal back for the home side and 'Pabs' Ndoye levelled right on the stroke of half time.

A stunning 25-yard strike by Paul Beasley after 56 minutes edged Leader's side in front again only for Graham Lindsay to square the contest at 3-3 with ten minutes remaining.

Gosport had the chance to steal all three points in the final minute but Cripps blasted a last-minute penalty against the crossbar.

There was also late drama at Folland Park where Leaders' former right-hand man Danny Bowers saw his new team, Hamble ASSC, snatch an equaliser with the last kick of the game in a 1-1 draw with Alton Town.

"I'm very pleased with the lads' response today in what was a real six-pointer. They battled away for the full 90 minutes," smiled the new Hamble manager.

Alton hotshot Steve Poulton had fired the visitors into a 20th-minute lead that they held right up until the end of stoppage time when Ricky Nutburn scrambled home a last-gasp leveller.

Basement-battlers Downton had their recent revival ended by visitors Bournemouth Poppies, who triumphed 4-1 at Wick Lane.

The Robins got off to the perfect start when Dan Gain fired them ahead but Poppies rallied with goals from Alex Jones, Faazi Saadi, James Merrett and Karim Banssouada to take the points.

Portland remain in trouble near the foot of the table after losing their Dorset derby at Hamworthy United 2-0, blows in each half from Lee Bellows and Ryan Lucas giving Alex Pike's side the edge.

At the top, surprise package Thatcham Town closed the gap on leaders on Winchester City when a late double strike gave the Berkshire club a 2-1 victory at VTFC.

Mark Williams headed in a Ben Tyrell cross to give the Boatmen a 35th-minute lead before an Ian Davies cross was deflected into his own net by Ian Calder after 75 minutes.

Ten minutes later, Jamie Green's glancing header from a Tom McCormack free kick gave second-placed Thatcham the win.

Thatcham's neighbours, AFC Newbury, can overhaul the reigning champions if they win their four games in hand and they kept up the pressure with a 4-1 success against Brockenhurst.

Chris Geary netted after 15 minutes for the home side and Lee Chudy doubled their advantage ten minutes later with a far post header from Daniel Mattingley's corner kick.

Alan Wright quickly pulled a goal back for the Badgers and was desperately unlucky not to equalise with another effort that hit the post and across the goalline before being cleared.

On 70 minutes, Chudy's corner was flicked on by Sam Rae for Ashley Vine to crash home with substitute Lance Spencer unleashing a tremendous 30-yard shot for Newbury's fourth goal some five minutes later.

Sixth-placed Lymington & New Milton scored all five goals in their 4-1 victory over Cowes Sports at Fawcetts Field.

Michael Jackson nodded in a Darren Crook cross to give the Linnets a fourth minute lead that Paul Towler doubled on the half hour after the Islanders hadn't cleared the ball properly.

A bizarre own goal by Darren Powell gave Cowes some hope but that was extinguished when Kevin James netted from the penalty spot after Crook had been hauled down and Towler headed a fourth from Carter's free-kick.

"That keeps us in touch at the top and it was good win as Cowes can be a bogey side for us - they were the last team to beat us in the league back in September," said Linnets boss Ian Robinson.

Totton manager Stuart Ritchie praised his team for their 'outstanding' performance in a 2-0 home win against Fareham Town at Testwood Park.

"That win has been coming for a while now and we are playing really well now that we are starting to get our players back again," purred Ritchie.

Both Totton goals came in the last 20 minutes, Danny Barker slotting home a Pete Clark cross before Mark Osman beat two defenders to fire past the Fareham keeper.

Wimborne Town also left it late at Bemerton Heath Harlequins who had led through Neil Cole before three goals in the last 18 minutes by Gareth Barnes (2) and Stuart Cannie gave the Magpies a 3-1 verdict.