SHOTTERMILL & Haslemere have a fighting chance of lifting themselves off the foot of the table after recording their first win of the season on Saturday.
They recorded a deserved victory and a precious three points in the bottom-of-the-table clash with Cranleigh at Woolmer Hill.
It was a heroic performance by the home side who were missing five first-team regulars and the narrow scoreline gave no real indication of their overall superiority.
Once again, it was erratic finishing that let Shottermill down and they had veteran Bob Daynes to thank for the all-important goal, albeit with the help of the post, in the 65th minute.
Shottermill & Haslemere are still keen to impress with a view to attracting a first-team manager into the club ready for next season's campaign in the new Division One of the Combined Counties League.
Haslemere, with a good blend of youth and experience, should really have had the match wrapped up in the first half. But their poor finishing and some desperate defending by Cranleigh kept the scoresheet blank at the interval.
The visitors came more into the game in the second half, but posed little danger to a 'Mill defence well marshalled by Cain and Clarke.
Daynes' crucial goal gave Shottermill fresh impetus, but again they failed to capitalise on the many openings that came their way.
Cranleigh's late rally came to nothing and Shottermill & Haslemere held out for a significant victory.
This Saturday, they travel to The Spectrum where they face sixth-placed AFC Guildford, hoping to continue where they left off last week. But all the squad players must do their bit if 'Mill are to sustain a late revival.