BOTTOM side Andover New Street toppled Wessex League Division One league leaders Laverstock and Ford in a heroic 1-0 victory on Saturday.

New signing Luke Cairney's audacious first half lob proved the difference between the two sides, who were previously separated by 20 league places and a staggering 45 points.

However the game ended in controversy as a Laverstock ended the match with nine men following a 22-man brawl with five minutes left to play.

Despite this New Street manager, John Smith, remained focused on the result.

The delighted boss said: "It was a great result.

"I couldn't have asked anymore from the boys on Saturday - They were absolutely fantastic.

"It was a proper battling performance and a massive three points for us."

Hosts New Street started the day rock bottom of Division One with just six points from their opening 19 games.

Meanwhile their high-flying visitors boasted an impressive 51 points, having won 17 of their first 20 games.

Despite the odds being stacked heavily in Laverstock's favour, Smith's much changed side performed well in the opening twenty minutes.

Smith switched to a back three of Jesse Todd, Jamie Coleman and Josh Wilson, in a vastly different side to that of sacked manager Dean Hutchins.

Cairney, signed from Tidworth, looked a constant threat up front and was rewarded for his efforts on 26 minutes.

The striker, who plays in goal for the Army's football team, sprung the offside trap down the left hand side and produced a magnificent lob over the Laverstock goalkeeper and into the top corner.

The visitors responded well were nearly awarded a penalty five minutes before half time when Coleman was judged to have committed a foul on the very edge of the penalty area.

However the referee ruled the challenge had taken place outside the area and awarded a free-kick, which was blasted over the bar.

New Street goalkeeper David Tasker was called into action on the stroke of half time, producing a brilliant diving save to tip a goalbound effort over the crossbar.

The hosts continued to frustrate their visitors after the break with a number of key tackles and blocks to maintain their one goal lead.

Laverstock began to pile forward in the last twenty minutes as they pushed for an equaliser.

However with five minutes to go their frustration boiled over after an innocuous challenge sparked a 22-man brawl.

Two Laverstock players were then dismissed for violent conduct, allowing New Street to comfortably see out the final five minutes and earn a heroic 1-0 win.

The victory moves New Street level on points with second from bottom East Cowes Victoria ahead of Saturday's home game against AFC Stoneham.

And Smith is confident they can overtake their relegation rivals by the start of next year.

He said: "I've looked at the fixtures and I think we have a good chance of overtaking them going into the Christmas period.

"Stoneham are a tough team but I think we have a chance of beating them Saturday.

"I'm hopeful we can pick up a points or two."

The game will take place at Foxcotte Park on Saturday.

Kick-off will be at 3pm.