Alton gained sweet revenge with an emphatic victory over Petersfield on Saturday.

They also closed the gap to just one point on leaders East Cowes who could only draw 3-3 with Horndean.

Alton also have a game in hand, as do Winchester City who are a menacing third and waiting for the top sides to slip up.

In the earlier defeat at Petersfield, Alton were never in it. This time, the team played as one, with Rob Savage, Clive Ventham and Jason Dinhan commanding the midfield and Andy Sharratt, Nicky Guy and newcomer Dave Goss giving nothing away at the back.

This was a big performance by Alton.

Up front, the in-form Steve Poulton struck a hat-trick, despite having been under treatment for a back injury during the week.

Micky Street, normally an outfielder, kept another clean sheet in goal.

Ian Dyer, again, proved a handful on the left, but Petersfield defended doggedly and well, and it took Alton 43 minutes to break the visitors down.

Poulton laid a good pass to striker parter Jamie Smith whose spectacular long-range shot gave the goalkeeper no chance.

Alton added an impotant second goal before the interval. Smith won a loose ball and laid it to Ventham who set up Poulton to score his first.

Alton had the wind behind them in the second half, but had to defend for 10 minutes as Petersfield threw everything at them in their efforts to get back into the game.

The home defence was rock-solid and when Street eventually had to make a great save, his long ball started a move that led to the third goal.

Again, Ventham supplied a good ball to Poulton who put away his second, albeit assisted by the unfortunate goalkeeper slipping as he came out to narrow the angle.

Substitutes Mark Dando and Richard Melia had a lively last 20 minutes. Dando should have scored when he latched on to one of Dyer's excellent crosses, only to shoot over from very close range

However, good work by Dinhan put in Poulton and again Alton's razor-sharp marksman made no mistake to complete his hat-trick.

It is all in Alton's own hands as the title race hots up. They have limited playing resources, compared with Winchester City, but they are on a roll at the moment, make no mistake.

Goss is not only a formidable centre-half, but his presence in the box at set-pieces has added an extra dimension to Alton's game.

John Robson's team is playing with great self-belief and will take it one game at a time. Next up is the trip to Lymington this Saturday (ko 3 pm).