BOURNEMOUTH Poppies produced an excellent display against Wessex League title favourites Eastleigh, but narrowly lost the contest in a spirited 1-0 defeat at Victoria Park last night.

And manager Keith Williams praised his side for "an outstanding display."

Williams added, "I'm gutted, as we more than matched them and I'm so proud of our players.

"They deserved something out of the game, because for long periods we dominated and Eastleigh had very few chances in the whole game.

"We've got players here at the moment who are working so hard and everyone is competing for places and I couldn't criticise them at all tonight."

Eastleigh grabbed their winner with 20 minutes left before Gary Clarke had a golden opportunity to equalise from six yards out, but clipped the top of the bar.

Poppies: Stone, Smith, Collins, Briscoe, Coleman, Till, Lucas, Bryning, Dancer, Clarke (Blythe 80), Rose (Holmes 65).

Other Wessex League results: Fareham Town 1 Lymington & New Milton 3; Christchurch 3 Andover 5.