ALRESFORD Town returned to the Sydenhams Premier summit following a night of high drama at Moneyfields which ended with a last-gasp 4-2 win.

The Magpies twice battled back from behind, missing a penalty along the way, before striking three times in the dying minutes against a Moneys side who had been reduced to ten men.

The home side went ahead on 34 minutes when Stuart Green cut in from the right and beat visiting keeper Steve Phillips with a low shot.

Moneys maintained that advantage at the break thanks to veteran ’keeper Dave Hook saving a penalty after the taker, Warren Bentley, had been brought down.

Alresford eventually drew level thanks to a speculative 20-yard lob from Dominic Cope, only for Moneyfields to reclaim the lead when Green’s shot rebounded for Warren Hunt to tuck away.

But the Portsmouth side did themselves no favours when Steve Hutchings picked up a second yellow card midway through the second half.

Alresford made it 2-2 with five minutes of normal time remaining when Stuart Mott glanced home a header from a free kick.

Scenting blood, the Magpies went in for the kill in stoppage time with Bentley heading them in front before Zach Glasspool struck on the break.

With Blackfield & Langley’s home game against Newport IoW postponed, victory took Alresford back to the top of the table by one point, having played two games more than the Watersiders.

Co-manager Danny Robinson smiled: “I’m chuffed with that result.

“It was 50-50 and, in hindsight, the sending-off may have swung it our way.

“Moneyfields were very good on the night and we knew we had to match them physically. Full credit to our lads for sticking at it.”

Alresford still have a busy week ahead with Thursday’s trip to rock-bottom Romsey followed by a tough home game against GE Hamble on Saturday.