CHRISTCHURCH manager Andy Leader had "no complaints" after they fell to two second half goals against third-placed Hammers.

Priory were undone by a 55th-minute strike from Michael White, his first goal for Hamworthy, and an 88th-minute effort by Ryan Dovell.

And Leader, who has led his side to an impressive seventh place in the table, said: "I can see why Hamworthy have only conceded 14 goals in 21 league games.

"They got a lot of players behind the ball and made it difficult for us. They are a very well organised side.

"Their first goal came from a header and we had several chances to get back in the game, but failed to take them, first when Lewis Till, fed well by Jason Atkins, blazed over the ball.

"Then Dave Roberts didn't connect properly from six yards after Matt Czastka had sent in a cross.

"To be honest, though, we are not firing on all cylinders at the moment and maybe we have reached a plateau.

"The five league games we have lost this season have all been to the top five sides - Winchester City, Thatcham, Poppies, Andover and now Hamworthy.

"Maybe we have found our level and are not quite good enough to be competing with those teams at the next level."

The Hammers, who are chasing the top two, Winchester City and Thatcham, hard, took the lead when centre half White scrambled the ball home from close range 10 minutes after the break.

Dovell made the game safe by firing home Paul Honeybun's cross on the counter attack, finishing off a sweet pitch-length move with aplomb.

Hammers manager Phil Simkin said: "Defensively we were exceptional. It was Michael White's first game back at centre half because Michael Walker was ill.

"We have been playing him at right back since he came back from injury but he was outstanding alongside James Wilson. We built on that, the defensive stability that we have got.

"I would have been delighted with a point because I know Christchurch are a very good side. To get three, I am over the moon."

Christchurch: Barfoot, J Atkins, Elliott, Hodder, Rogers (D Roberts 70), Czastka, S Atkins (Till 70), Crutchley, Jenvey (Lawrence 75), Gregory, Puckett. Unused subs: Wells, P Roberts.

Hamworthy United: Hutchings, Gill, Lockyer, Wilson, White, Edwards, Waldock, Honeybun, Dovell, Lucas, Scott. Unused subs: Smith, Pidgely, Johnson, Baguley, Frampton.