CONNOR Cocklin scored a goal at each end as Andover Town continued their recent purple patch with a 2-1 victory over Verwood Town.

The defender put his side ahead after 13 minutes but was on the score sheet for the wrong reason just before half-time when he turned the ball past his own goalkeeper.

Injuries and unavailability again forced manager Neil Benson to shuffle his starting line up, with Joe Woodward and Sammy Pekun returning to the starting 11.

The home side started quickest and Jamie Bray had to be at his best to firstly push a long drive onto the bar and then get down well to prevent the follow-up being forced home.

However it was Andover who took the lead after 13 minutes when a Lewis Benson corner traveled across the penalty area and Cocklin forced the ball home for his fourth goal of the season.

Town doubled their lead seven minutes later from another Benson corner, this time Walker turning the ball home from a yard out.

Andover continued to create chances but were stunned when, on the stroke of half-time, an innocuous shot looked set to be easily claimed by Bray before a stretching Cocklin turned the ball past the helpless keeper.

Both teams created chances through the second half and Town were forced into a couple of changes as first O’Donnell and then Gunson were forced off with injuries.

Verwood looked to have snatched an equaliser after 75 minutes but Jamie Bray again went full length to tip a header over the crossbar.

As Verwood pushed for an equaliser the game opened up and Ibrahim Olutade went close twice late on.

The best of those came when the young striker went 1-1 with Chris Lynch in the Verwood goal.

However the goalkeeper spread himself well and fortuitously deflected the ball out to safety with his shoulder.

Neither team could add to the scoreline in the final minutes as Andover Town ran out 2-1 winners.

Andover are now unbeaten in nine league games and sit third in the table ahead of a trip to Newport (IOW) on Tuesday night.