Horndean turn season around as Adair's side climb Wessex Premier

Six weeks ago Horndean were being beaten 3-0 at Downton and then lost again at Millbrook. This week the club's own match report described a side that had taken 13 points from a possible 15 and now sit outside the play-offs only on goal difference.

The return against Downton at Five Heads Park was the proof. Charlie Luff was sent off just before the break, a decision the report says baffled many inside the ground. Henry Searle, though, curled in a free kick two minutes after the restart. Preston Matthews levelled with a header from James Clark's cross, and with four minutes left Searle picked up the ball on the edge of the area and sent a finish into the bottom corner. Manager Kev Adair was dismissed late on, but Horndean held out. A 2-1 win at Bashley followed, and the unbeaten run stands at six. Off the pitch, assistant manager Mark Summerhill left to take up a role at Havant & Waterlooville.

Downton bounced back in style. The Robins beat Laverstock thanks to a late Ronan Moore free kick, then beat Cowes Sports 7-2 at The Nest.

At Christchurch, the pressure is on the dugout. After a 4-1 defeat at Bashley on 13 October, the chairman issued a statement saying Brad Gale has the committee's full backing. "We know things need to improve on the pitch, nobody is pretending otherwise," he said, adding that the club is not blessed with endless resources.

Other results were less tidy. Bournemouth Poppies lost 3-2 to Baffins Milton Rovers despite a Harry Smith volley that came in off the bar and a Connor Leclerq free kick. Callum Watson saved an early penalty, but a second spot-kick was converted by substitute Rudi Blankson in the 76th minute. Brockenhurst lost 4-3 at home to Hamble Club four days after beating Hedge End 3-1, while Fareham Town, described by Petersfield Town as league leaders, won 2-1 at the Rams. Fareham had drawn 1-1 with Hamble earlier in the week.

Draws came at Fleetlands, where Craig Kingswell and Joe Briggs scored in a 2-2 with Millbrook, and at Hamworthy Recreation, who shared a 1-1 with Bemerton Heath Harlequins. Laverstock & Ford won 1-0 at Sherborne Town through Archie Lovegrove's first-half finish. In the FA Cup, Tadley Calleva flew the flag for Step 5 alongside Sedons.