Dorset Senior League WEYMOUTH SPORTS 1 WINCANTON TOWN 2 LOSING player-assistant-manager Mickey Greeno admitted that the race for the Dorset Senior League title was over after this hard-fought clash at Cranford Avenue.

League leaders Wincanton scored two top-class goals in the opening 16 minutes of the second half and although Andy Mason got one back from the spot the visitors deserved the spoils.

Town are now four points ahead of Sports with two games in-hand. Both sides will meet again at Moor Lane on April 2.

Greeno, whose side has now lot three on the spin, said: "When they went 1-0 up we had a good chance straight away at the other end but we did not take it and that changed the game.

"To be honest I think that is it now in regards to the title. I still believe Chickerell United are the best side in this league but they had a bad start and Wincanton have taken advantage.

"I just wanted us to go out and compete today and work hard, and to be fair we did that but they had more cutting edge up front and deserved the win."

Simon Bryant warmed the hands of home keeper Jason Carter in the early exchanges but Sports held their own and competed superbly.

Carter then came for a free-kick and missed it presenting a chance to Scott Smith. The powerful defender headed towards goal but his effort bounced across the six-yard box and was cleared.

Sam Vine should have done better when Chris Osmond put him through before the home side replied with their first chance. Nigel Evans put in Paul Cole on the left and when he cut the ball back Tom Hastie made a good connection but his shot flew wide.

Sixty seconds later and Hastie was at the centre of the action again. This time the winger curled a great corner into the box that Evans headed just past the right upright.

Strong challenges went in from both sides but a lapse by Ben Doidge on 23 minutes nearly allowed Wincanton to take the lead.

The left back lost his man Levi Nicholls and when he fired a fantastic cross to the far post Bryant's strike was only kept out by a marvellous reaction stop by Carter.

Hastie shot at visiting stopper Scott Vine after some good work by Cole and Karnan Thorne before Gerry De La Planque threatened on 40 minutes.

The home forward battled past two defenders on the right to get a clear sight of goal but he stabbed his shot wide.

The half ended with Wincanton going close again. A cross from the left found Osmond in the box who showed good feet before seeing his strike deflect on to the outside of a post.

It was just six minutes after the restart that Town finally made the game's first breakthrough. A fine free-flowing move saw Steve Devlin cut the ball back from the left by-line to Alex Nott who coolly slotted home.

To their credit Sports replied instantly with a great chance for Cole but his shot went straight at Scott Vine. The hosts continued to battle but on 61 minutes they fell further behind to an unstoppable effort by Levi Nicholls, who took a great touch on the edge of the area and blasted the ball into the top left corner from 20 yards.

The game looked like it was over but 60 seconds later a silly push by Smith on Hastie handed Sports a penalty, which was dispatched superbly by Mason.

Wincanton now looked a little edgy but the hosts were unable to create much else. Their best effort towards the end came from Greeno who curled a 25-yard free kick into the arms of Scott Vine.

Sports: Carter, Wallis, Doidge, Alcock, Evans, Mason, McGarrigal, Thorne, Cole (Wash 57mins), De La Planque (Greeno 71mins), Hastie. Sub not used: Cropper.