Petersfield Town returned to winning ways with a dramatic 3-2 victory at home to Hythe & Dibden in the Wessex League Premier Division.

After a disappointing first half which saw the Rams trail 1-0, the hosts turned the match around in the second half with a much-improved display to deservedly run out 3-2 winners.

With several players missing through injury the Rams were forced to make a number of personnel and positional changes from their last competitive match against Andover New Street on Tuesday, January 9.

Liam Kimber returned after illness, with younger brother Callum making his first league start. Jake Thomson was switched from defence to a forward role.

Assistant manager Callum Glen was on the substitutes bench – his first involvement as a player since August – along with Callum Dart, who had not played for the Rams since pre-season.

The game started at a very lively tempo with both sides enjoying some promising attacks.

Thomson called Hythe keeper Luke Deacon into action in the opening minutes, and Tommy Tierney went close.

At the other end the Rams defence was tested with some lively forward play from Hythe, with keeper Ellis Grant called into action on several occasions.

As the half progressed the visitors were increasingly in the ascendency and it came as no great surprise when they took a 15th-minute lead with an excellent finish from Cain Prentice.

The second half saw a completely different Rams as they got on the front foot from the off and found their passing game.

Chad Cornwell, on as a half-time substitute, made some penetrating runs down the right and put some dangerous balls into the box. On the other side of the pitch Callum Kimber was impressing with his close control and vision.

It looked like it was only a matter of time before the Rams would make a breakthrough.

The equaliser came in the 63rd minute when a ball in from the right was met with a superb strike from Dart.

Cheered on by another excellent Love Lane crowd of 212, the Rams were now in top gear and took the lead in the 72nd minute with a superb move down the left, which was finished off in emphatic style with another fine strike from Dart.

When Thomson calmly slotted home in the 83rd minute to put the Rams 3-1 ahead the points looked secure.

An added-time goal from Ryan Harfield set up a tense end to proceedings, but the Rams saw out the remaining time to deservedly take the three points.