by Mike Vimpany

A second win in three matches has given Romsey hope of avoiding the drop into the Hampshire League.

They followed up a thrilling 4-3 victory over Addiscombe by twice coming from behind to beat Surbiton III 3-2.

Danny Miles scored twice, including the late winner.

Romsey are still bottom of Hampshire/Surrey Regional Division 2, but their visit to Hamble – the third and last of three derbies in the coming weeks – will be critical in their survival bid.

Romsey goalkeeper Loz Scott made several saves before being beaten by a deflection, but Surbiton squandered a penalty stroke at 1-0.

Romsey seized their opportunity, forcing three short corners, the last of which Miles tucked away to level.

Surbiton then punished Romsey from a long corner but their 2-1 lead was cancelled out when Jack Forrest-Charde picked out Chris Mason, who wrong-footed the goalkeeper.

Scott rescued Romsey with some vital saves as Surbiton’s unsuccessful penalty corner attempts ran into double figures.

Romsey launched a number of their own raids and with ten minutes remaining grabbed the winner.

A fierce tackle inside the 25-yard zone resulted in a Romsey penalty corner, which Miles fired into the top left corner - his seventh in five games.

Surbiton refused to lie down and were denied, initially by a Dave Edwards goal-line save then Scott, who saw off two more late short corners to secure Romsey three vital points.

Hamble drew 3-3 at struggling Camberley & Farnborough.

Andover beat Addiscombe 6-5 after a 7-5 defeat at Croydon & Old Whitgiftians.