AFC PORTCHESTER 3, PETERSFIELD TN 1

PETERSFIELD Town, nine points adrift at the foot of the Sydenham Premier League table, having played more games than any of the teams immediately above them, must be resigned to a second successive relegation after losing for the 25th time in 30 matches

The Rams have improved in recent matches, as they showed by leading 1-0 at half-time away to seventh-placed AFC Portchester.

But, for the second week running, things changed completely in the second half and Portchester scored three times without reply to run out comfortable winners.

Portchester looked rattled, though, as Petersfield began brightly and took the lead after just 12 minutes. Will Essai won a free-kick and the resulting cross was headed home by Ed Plackett.

Soon after, the visitors were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when striker Billy Connor appeared to be shoved over by former Rams player Ryan Woodford.

The home side pulled themselves together and Nathan Kirby and Dale Mason missed decent chances to equalise.

However, just before half-time, Portchester nearly conceded a second goal, keeper Lewis Noice racing off his line to deny the lively Connor.

Portchester raised their game after half-time and the inevitable equaliser came on 55 minutes. The Rams failed to clear a cross properly and the ball broke loose to Mason who scored with a crisp cross-shot.

Petersfield now had their backs to the wall and survived a number of goalmouth skirmishes before falling behind in the 67th minute. Brandon Miller won the race for a ball over the top and pulled it back for Mason to pick his spot.

Luke Eaton made some brave saves in the visiting goal, but Portchester killed the game off with their third goal on 77 minutes. Mason played a defence-splitting pass for Tom Scott to run on to and the substitute shot low past Eaton to make it 3-1.

Cowes Sports, fourth from bottom, visit Love Lane this Saturday.

Petersfield: Eaton, Plackett, Llewelyn, Tremlett, Kennedy, Geddes, Essai, Thompson (Keogh), Connor, Kendall (Tayler), Smith. Subs (not used): Wycherley, Fagelman, Evans.