THIS was always going to be a season defining match as the top two sides met at John Hanson School on Saturday.

The visitors were in front by a point so there was no room for error.

Andover started well while the visitors started quietly and as the game progressed the levels of play reversed with Andover’s quality of play and finish dropping while Haslemere’s increased.

The difference between the two sides was beginning to show and it was Haslemere who came out on top by virtue of making less mistakes and scoring twice.

Andover now lie in third place four points behind Haslemere and three points behind Salisbury but they have two games in hand over them.