Andover Lions 4 Four Marks 2.

Andover Lions left it late but took three points from Four Marks in an entertaining and enjoyable fixture at the Athletic Track on Saturday.

Two goals in added time, the first from Darren Paris and the other from Dan Reynolds snatched a deserved victory in dramatic style just as the visitors thought that they had hung on to claim a point.

Ray Cozze and Chris Paris were thankful for their depth of squad as John Robb, Casson Spencer and Jamie Pollard were among several regulars who were unavailable for the fixture.

Despite an indifferent run of form of late Lions started confidently and it was no surprise when they took the lead on seven minutes after Hind forced an error from Brock in the Four Marks goal leaving Reynolds to roll the ball in for his first goal of the year.

Danny Lewis shot over after a fine passing move but within a minute Four Marks were level when a defensive slip let in Callum Burchell for a calmly taken equaliser.

The remainder of the half was real end to end stuff with Reynolds, Paris and Josh Hind all going close and Reffell and Warwick both having half chances for Four Marks.

With half-time approaching Warwick handled in the box from a Hind lob but Paris’s fierce spot-kick was tipped over by a full length Brock in the visitor’s goal.

Two minutes into the second half a powerful drive by Craney was beaten away and Reynolds’ follow up was also blocked but almost immediately Four Marks broke and Bewler snatched a surprise lead for the visitors. Paris, Gary Lane and Hind went close and Brad Craney hit another trademark drive from outside of the box that was parried away by Brock.

Just past the hour the pressure finally paid dividends as a Lewis corner was headed back by Reynolds and Lane rose to power in a header.

Cozze brought on Redmond Hutchins for the last 20 minutes and threw three up front as Lions chased a victory that could see them regain fourth placeand as added time started a Paris free-kick from wide on the left deceived the keeper and flew in to grab a deserved lead.

As the clocked ticked down Reynolds had just enough time to seal the victory with a mazy run for his second goal of the match.

After the match Cozze was very happy with the points and the performance. He said: “The attitude today was excellent and the lads seemed to really enjoy playing.

‘The late goals were the reward for never giving up. We told them before kick-off that we wanted six points from the last two games to get us back into fourth and that’s the first part done.”

The Lions still have one fixture left to fulfil, away to Michelmersh and Timsbury, a fixture that could be transferred to the Athletics Track if a suitable away venue cannot be found.