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.

But 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.

'˜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.

Manager 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.

'˜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.

Mark 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.