AFC Portchester teach students a lesson in seven-goal thriller

The Royals closed the gap to seven points behind leaders AFC Stoneham with two games in hand.

A 72nd-minute Ellis Martin penalty finally sealed a vital three points.

The Royals gave home debuts to new signings Pete Castle and Josh Hanratty.

Dan Wooden returned to the starting line-up after illness, but captain Steve Ramsey was starting a three-match suspension.

In blustery conditions, the game’s first chance fell to the Royals on 19 minutes after a visiting defender failed to clear.

His header went straight up in the air and dropped to Jason Parish six yards out, but the striker pulled his shot wide of the target.

It was the students, however, who struck the first blow on 27 minutes following a clever passing move.

Solent captain Luke Mitchell played a quick one-two before unleashing an unstoppable 25-yard shot past home keeper Brad Snelling.

Portchester were level within three minutes, though.

Sam Lanahan showed great persistence on the edge of the area and when the ball dropped to him he tucked a low shot past the keeper from 15 yards.

The home side’s joy was short-lived, however. On 33 minutes Ryan Penny burst onto a forward ball to fire home.

Wooden had two half-chances before the break – one a wind-assisted cross which was tipped over the bar.

The Royals levelled for a second time five minutes after the restart.

Wooden flicked the ball left to Patrick Hnath, whose cross was partially cleared.

The ball fell to Robbie Evans and he slammed the ball home from eight yards.

Two more goals arrived in a further frantic two minutes.

First Jason Parish put the Royals ahead with a close-range finish.

But the home defence were caught napping straight away, with Callum Beasley levelling matters once more.

On 72 minutes the home side re-captured the lead.

Wooden was bundled over in the area and Ellis Martin slotted his spot-kick low into the bottom corner.

In the closing stages, Hanratty rescued the hosts with a goal-line clearance.