Petersfield Town 2 East Cowes Vics 3: AFTER their cup success in midweek Petersfield Town returned to league action at Love Lane on Saturday against East Cowes Vics.

The Rams had the better of the opening stages but it was the visitors who took the lead in the eighth minute through Ji Taylor.

Their lead was short-lived, however, as two minutes later Will Essai lobbed the keeper to draw level.

For the remainder of the first half there was little to choose between the sides, although the Rams posed the greater threat. In the 42nd minute they took the lead when Matt Rowland played in Harry Giles, who slotted the ball past Will Hunt.

Petersfield started the second period keen to extend their lead but their hopes were soon dashed when, in the 52nd minute, East Cowes equalised through Elias Hamed, whose shot from close range gave keeper Tim Jackson no chance.

For the next 15 minutes or so play was fairly even, but as the game entered the final quarter the Rams increasingly got on top, creating chance after chance.

Harry Gregory, Harry Tremlett, Jake Bourton and Luke Payne all had opportunities during this spell but could not break through and as the game went into added time it looked like Petersfield would have to settle for a draw.

But, to rub salt into the wound, with almost the last act of the game East Cowes broke away and Jimmy Burton steered the ball past Jackson to give the visitors an unlikely victory.