A DRAMATIC later winner from Lewis Benson earned Andover Town a 3-2 victory over Verwood on Saturday, despite the home side being down 2-0 at half time.

Town, who were going into the game on a three game losing streak, looked as if they would suffer another defeat at the Portway on Saturday after Verwood's Tom Whelan put the away side ahead within the first 10 minutes.

The midfielder was played-in after an impressive run from Max Brimson who took it round two defenders before laying it off to Whelan, who guided it across goal and into the bottom left.

Town slowly grew into the game and had their first chance to equalise shortly after 20 minutes when Verwood goalkeeper Chris Lynch made a mess of a freekick.

However the resulting shot was put high over the crossbar by Ryan Inskip.

Verwood then doubled their advantage on the half hour mark when a costly slip in Andover's backline gave Whelan an opportunity to score his second and he made no mistake, firing it high into the top corner past a stranded Michael Weatherall.

Andover Town manager Neil Benson cut a frustrated figure at half-time with his side 2-0 down but the tactician made key changes at half-time, notably pushing Lewis Benson further up the pitch and dropping Ike Robertson deeper.

The swap took time to take effect with Verwood looking most likely to score after the restart, only for some fine keeping from Weatherall to keep the away side at bay.

However shortly after the hour mark Town pulled one back after a dreadful fumble from Lynch gave away an unnecessary corner which was headed home by Inskip.

Minutes later, another error from the Verwood defence gifted Town their equaliser after poor defending from a corner gave Benson room to release a wayward shot across goal which was bundled home by Robertson to make it 2-2.

Controversy struck soon after when Verwood captain Chel Gajic kicked out at Michael Dixon off of the ball but was spared an early bath by the referee, who only produced a yellow card.

Cameron Hugh was bought on for the last 10 minutes of the match and the midfielder had an important hand in the winner after he was fouled in Verwood's half with two minutes of injury time already played.

Benson stepped up to take the 35-yard freekick and the midfielder glided it towards the head of Matt Scott only for ball to go over his head and beat the keeper in a bizarre but crucial winning goal.

The goal completed what was an impressive 3-2 comeback for Town and earn them all three points as they prepare to face Christchurch away on Wednesday night.