RINGWOOD TOWN manager Jy Taylor reckons it would be "the greatest of great escapes" if the New Forest Club were to avoid the drop.

But Taylor's men kept that possibility alive by beating Hamworthy United 1-0 at the weekend and, with a game at table-proppers Downton today (11.00), Taylor refuses to throw in the relegation towel.

"If we can beat Downton, that's the 12-point deficit on Alresford Town immediately halved," he said.

"And, with winnable games coming up against Romsey (twice), Hayling United and Cowes at home, we've got to believe that we've still got a chance.

"This was a must-win' game and it's the same at Downton if we want to give ourselves a fighting chance - third bottom may still be good enough to remain in this division.

"Saturday was the worst game that I've seen all season but the result was all-important."

Hamworthy old boy Dan Baguley haunted his former club with the winner after 61 minutes by firing in a Mark Burrett free kick.

Taylor added: "Dan was over the moon because he was desperate to score against his old side.

"He has done so well for us since we got him here. That was his fifth game and he's scored twice.

"Dan's been playing up front on his own and is working very hard. He's got a reputation for being a little bit lazy, but we haven't seen that.

"He's held the ball up well and was desperate to prove to Hamworthy they were wrong to let him go."

Goal-shy Downton scored three times for the first time this season - but still lost 4-3 at home to Fareham Town.

The mathematically-doomed Robins fell behind on 11 minutes when Steve Brittan blasted the visitors ahead and then Ryan Lock quickly doubled Town's advantage with a shot on the turn from 15 yards.

Nathan Ward scored from Downton's first real threat on the Fareham goal but were made to pay as the visitors romped into a 4-1 half time lead.

Luke Middleton netted with a 20-yard rocket shot in the 23rd minute with former Gosport man Ian Rew registering his first goal for the Cams Alders club after 32 minutes.

A Dan Gain free kick reduced the arrears early in the second half and, although Ward pulled another goal back after 75 minutes, the Robins were unable to add to this season's miserable five-point haul.