FORMER Saints and Pompey defender Jon Gittens could be the next high-profile boss of Fareham Town.

The Botley-based 38-year-old is in the frame to take charge of the Jewson Wessex League club, who recently parted company with ex-England, Stoke and Pompey winger Mark Chamberlain.

Gittens was plucked out of non-League football by Saints back in 1985 after completing a two-year menswear tailoring course in Birmingham.

He joined Swindon Town for £40,000 two years later but was re-signed by the Saints during Chris Nicholl's reign for £400,000 on the eve of the 1991 transfer deadline.

He was sold to Middlesbrough for half that sum just over a year later and went on to play for Portsmouth, Torquay United and Exeter.

Fareham's director of football Duncan Pratt is taking care of team matters at Cams Alders until the end of the season, but said: "It's never been my intention to do the job permanently and there will be a role for someone to come in as manager next season.

"Jon's been doing some coaching for me and we seem to be on the same wavelength, but we're just getting to know each other at the moment.

"I know he'd like to manage a club so, who knows? If it works out, he could take over here."

Hampshire are still in with a chance of South West Counties Championship progress after sinking The Navy 3-1 at Burnaby Road last night.

Fleet Town's Ian Mancey bagged two goals, sandwiched around a 25-yarder from AFC Newbury's Tommy Pegler, but star of the show was young Brockenhurst defender Danny Steer, stepping up from the county under-21s.

It was Steer who did all the hard work for Mancey's second on the hour mark, beating three defenders and crossing for a simple tap-in.

With Warren Kenna and Stuart Anderson pulling out through injury, Hampshire travelled to Portsmouth with only 13 men and paid the price late on when Steve Beeks was injured in a collision with goalkeeper and Fleet team-mate Adie Creamer.

Doswell had already made two substitutions, so Hampshire played the last ten minutes with only ten men.

The Navy took advantage with a late consolation and Hampshire can only hope that the battle for group superiority does not boil down to goal difference.

Devon, who have seven points from three games, are in pole position, while Hampshire and Sussex have five apiece. Hampshire now need to win their final game against Guernsey at Bashley on March 10 and pray that Sussex hold Devon to a draw.

Should both Hampshire and Sussex win it would rest on goal difference and Doswell confessed: "The Navy's late goal was disappointing and could be costly. We lost out on goal difference two years ago and it worries me that it could happen again."

Draw specialists Basingstoke Town were held 1-1 at home by Chesham in the Ryman Premier League last night.

Sean Gorman had a goal disallowed and Glenn Howes hit the bar for Stoke, but it was the visitors who led at half-time through Richard Graham.

Stoke defender Paul Wilkinson made a goalline clearance before Efan Elad netted the 71st-minute equaliser.

Five-goal Vince Rusher powered holders Andover through to the semi-finals of the North Hants Senior Cup at the Portway Stadium last night.

Matthew Bicknell was also on target in a 6-1 win over Kings Somborne which was achieved with only ten men because of injuries and unavailabilities. Lions even had the luxury of letting goalkeeper Kieron Drake take a penalty - which he fired over!