LATE goals from both teams led to a very dramatic finish, with Andover coming out on top in what turned out to be a very hard fought match.

Andover made four changes to the team that narrowly lost away to Lymington.

Brad Benson and Jordan O’Donnell replaced Charlie Gunson and Ope Aromona with Matt Scott and Lewis Benson also returning and Ike Robertson and Aqwasi Nyarko-Marfo making way.

Within minutes, Andover were chasing the lead when Tom Donaldson crossed to former Town striker Tom Riddell, who slotted past Jake Wellesley-David.

Despite this, the home side were quickly troubling Alresford’s defence as Michael Dixon sprinted down the wing and crossed to Claudio Herbert, whose header forced a fantastic reflex save from John Howard.

Andover levelled in the ninth minute when Dixon broke through the defence, passing to Oliver Yates, who only needed to pass the ball into an open goal.

Both teams had good chances, with Riddell once again causing problems for the home team as his volley forced a fine diving save from Wellesley-David.

Minutes later, Andover were on the attack and Herbert played a brilliant ball through to Dixon, whose shot went into the side netting.

In the final moments of the half, Dixon once again ran through and Howard pulled of an excellent save to leave the scores level at half-time.

The first real chance of the half went to Lewis, whose shot was deflected for a corner, before Cameron Hough and Danny Urry were introduced and Andover soon took the lead, when from a long pass by Jordan O’Donnell Dixon gave Town the lead.

Alresford looked to have saved a point in the final minute when Jordan O’Donnell fouled Tom Donaldson leaving the referee to point to the spot.

O’Donnell was sent off for a second bookable offence before substitute John Mulhearn stepped up to score, but the game reached a dramatic climax when, in the last minute of added time, Andover were awarded a free-kick just inside the opposition’s half.

Wellesley-David rushed up to get involved, and his presence played a part, as Lewis Benson’s ball sailed over everyone and into the net, giving Andover the three points and ninth position in the Wessex League Premier Division.

Tuesday’s home match with Blackfield and Langley was postponed due to an unfit pitch.