Portchester take top spot'¦Â Fareham charging on
A late Olly Searle header gave the Royals a hard-fought win over the Poppies.
Joint-manager Mick Catlin knows it won't be easy for the team to keep in pole position.
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Hide AdBut they showed lots of good qualities in grinding out an important win on Saturday.
He said: '˜We have played more games and the challenge for us is staying here.
'˜It was a tough game against a good Bournemouth side.
'˜We defended well which is what we have been asking from the team
'˜The game was played in horrendous conditions and there were few chances.
'˜Fortunately we took the one that came our way to win it.
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Hide Ad'˜We are finding a bit of form, having chalked up three wins on the bounce.'
The decisive goal arrived 10 minutes from the end after the home goalkeeper spilled a free-kick.
Searle was perfectly positioned to head the ball in at the back post.
Fareham Town made it nine games unbeaten by winning 2-1 at in-form Bashley.
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Hide AdManager Pete Stiles felt it was a deserved success for the Reds.
He said: '˜In the first half Bashley couldn't break us down.
'˜Scott Hamilton grabbed two opportunist goals to put us in the driving seat.
'˜To be fair they put us under the cosh in the second half and pulled a goal back.
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Hide Ad'˜However, we dug in and refused to let the win slip from our grasp.
'˜That makes it nine games unbeaten for us and the players are determined to keep it going as long as possible.'
Harry Jackson scored twice as Horndean secured a comfortable 3-0 win against Bemerton Heath Harlequins at Five Heads Park.
Jackson opened the scoring on 33 minutes before the hosts struck again twice at the start of the second period.
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Hide AdMark Smith converted a Benny Reed cross two minutes after the restart with Jackson notching his second five minutes later.
Baffins Milton Rovers saw off Christchurch 3-1 at the PMC Stadium.
In division one United Services Portsmouth lost 4-3 against Amesbury Town at the Victory Stadium.
Mig Dark, Jamie Franklin and Cameron Quirke netted for the Sailors.
Petersfield Town romped to a 5-0 win against Downton at Love Lane.
Ryan Kennedy netted twice with Harry Giles, Garri Judd and Josh Sheehan also on target.