Catlin points to progress after Royals topple leaders

A first half Nathan Kirby strike proved decisive as the Royals closed in on the top three.

Joint-manager Mick Catlin feels his side are picking up important momentum.

‘We are starting to get on a bit of a roll,’ he said.

‘This was a well-deserved win and the scoreline suggests it was closer than it actually was.

‘We had a fair number of chances to increase our lead.

‘To beat the league leaders is a good marker of how far we have come.

‘What we have to do now is keep grinding out the wins and see where it takes us.

‘We still have games in hand on the teams around us.

‘This result is a big step in the right direction.’

Kirby struck midway through the first half after he was picked out by a good Steve Ramsey cross.

The striker chested the ball down and calmly finished into the bottom corner.

Fareham Town continued their superb away form with a 2-1 win against Team Solent at Test Park.

It was a fifth successive victory on the road for the Reds, who had to come from behind.

‘It was a good win against tough opponents with a lot of talent in their side,’ said manager Pete Stiles.

‘There is a real togetherness in our squad and a will to win.

‘Even when we went a goal behind I felt we had enough to overcome them.

‘We have a good unity with everyone playing for each other.’

Four minutes after the Reds’ defence was caught napping, Robbie Pittman equalised with a calm finish.

Callum Laycock delivered the winner 10 minutes after the break with a deft finish.

Baffins Milton Rovers slipped to a 2-0 defeat against Lymington Town at the Kendall Stadium.

Petersfield Town slumped to a 4-1 defeat at Bemerton Heath Harlequins.

In division one, a Jimmy Cuthbertson penalty and Mig Dark strike earned United Services a 3-2 win at Andover New Street.