WHITCHURCH travelled to Brockenhurst, scene of their promotion victory 18 months ago and moved back to the top of the Wessex League Premier Division table courtesy of a late Danny Phillips goal.

United were forced into two changes from their midweek defeat at Portchester with Mitch Fear and Ben Thomson replacing the suspended Scott Hassall and Jamie Mansell and Thomson, back after a lengthy work related absence, was quickly in the action with two early free-kicks.

The first saw Josh Harfield inches too high and Phillips suffered the same fate after Jack McCarthy had headed the second into his path.

The home side, recent worthy conquerors of Winchester City on their Grigg Lane ground, were quick to respond with a corner headed off the line by Jack Garner, probably the smallest person in the six yard box, and keeper Brad Snelling saved well from Dan Cox.

Mark Barber pulled a shot across the face of goal and Snelling blocked another effort with his legs before the visitors pushed themselves forward again with captain Garner and Harfield effective in the middle.

Snelling denied Cox at close range as the home side ended the half on top with Cox again denied by Snelling and a long range effort by Barker that finished high in the trees behind the goal.

After the break Adam Pearson had to move quickly to block Barber then Phillips pulled a shot across the face of goal as the stalemate continued.

Danny Barker replaced Cole Hinchcliffe and Snelling continued his ongoing contest with Barker by hanging on to another effort from the Brock wide man.

Thomson sent a free-kick wide from the edge of the area, his last taste of the action before giving way to young Callum McLaughlan and the home side then wasted a clear chance as the visiting defence stopped and appealed for offside but Snelling again denied Barker and rescued his side.

The missed chance then took on extra importance as with only a minute of stoppage time left Whitchurch won a corner, McCarthy found Phillips in a crowded area, and the striker coolly slotted the ball past Rory Anderson to ensure all three points went back to the north of the county.

As with their previous defeat at Winchester, Whitchurch have bounced back from the Portchester defeat with a win which speaks volumes for the spirit that manager Carl Bennett has engendered in the side and their ‘something of a fairytale’ season continues.