PETERSFIELD TN 1, ANDOVER TN 2

Sydenham Premier League front-runners Andover, having lost their unbeaten record to Alresford in midweek, were made to work hard for the points by lowly Petersfield on Saturday.

A goal in each half saw the visitors through, but a late penalty set up a tense finish as the referee played a full eight minutes of injury time.

The play was fragmented on a heavy Love Lane pitch, with a zealous referee issuing several yellow cards.

Andover took the aerial route for the opening goal on 18 minutes. Joe Chamberlain put in a high cross and Alex Dockree came in undetected to head into the top corner.

Petersfield were giving as good as they got and Billy Connor came close to breaking through after a strong run.

The leaders badly needed a second goal and they got it after 65 minutes – albeit with the help of a large stroke of luck. Mike Gosney crossed towards the far post where Zach Glasspool was waiting, but at the vital moment the striker slipped and the ball deflected off his stomach into the net.

Ten minutes remained when Connor Cocklin upended former Andover player Luke Walker and substitute Luke Kendall hammered in the penalty to revive Petersfield’s hopes.

Andover closed ranks in an interminable period of added time and came away with three important points.

Petersfield host Newport (IoW) in a basement battle this Saturday.

• Petersfield suffered their 15th league defeat of the season, losing 3-1 to AFC Portchester at Love Lane on Tuesday. Tom Scott, Andy Todd and substitute Alex Baldaccino scored for the visitors. Will Essai converted a penalty to give the Rams hope at 2-1 before Portchester killed the game off.