Picture special and report as Bognor Regis Town win at Winchester City

Goals from Henry Nevill and Liam Webber handed the Rocks a deserved victory on Tuesday and sets up nicely Saturday’s home clash with AFC Portchester.

Bognor went in to the game at the Charters Community Stadium on the back of a 3-1 win at home to Harrow Borough which took them four points clear at the top of the table. The hosts entered the fray in second spot, having gleaned a point with a 0-0 draw at home to Jersey Bulls.

Boss Danny Hollands shuffled his pack once again and in came central defender Liam Webber, only a used sub against Harrow, while there was a return to action for Tommy Block, captain for the night. New signing Charlie Gunson, formerly of Gosport Borough and Dorchester, was named as a substitute.

Webber had the visitors’ first attempt on goal after five minutes but home keeper Danny Dixon collected his header safely. Then Kaya Tshaka saw his free kick parried by the custodian as the Rocks took the game to the Citizens.

Bognor took the lead in the 13th minute when Henry Nevill burst down the right and cut in to rifle home a powerful drive that perhaps Dixon should have thwarted. Winchester rallied after the goal and enjoyed decent spells of possession but the Rocks were resolute even though Tommy Scott, back at his former club, was called upon several times to deny them the equaliser.

Luke Pardoe, full of pace and a certain amount of swagger up top – with speed merchants Nevill and Luke Roberts operating alongside him – had a great chance to extend Bognor’s lead on 37 minutes when he jinked in to the area from the left but he pulled his shot wide.

And the miss gave the hosts hope. Just a minute later City were level at 1-1 when Bradley Waters drove home from close range following indecision on the rearguard.

Webber headed the Rocks back in front three minutes in to the second half when he stole in at the far post to meet Tshaka’s whipped-in corner to make it 2-1. Pardoe had the chance to extend the Bognor lead on 84 minutes after super approach play on the left but his shot lacked venom and was easily saved.

Two minutes later, Henry McDonald should have made it 3-1 but Dixon made an incredible save to his left. It was a brilliant victory all in all against a side that will be in the mix at the end of the season in front of 765 fans, with around 200 travelling supporters bringing the noise to this Sussex-Hants affair.