Town boss Andy Samuels handed a debut to midfielder Cam Ross, who recently signed from Colden Common, noting he would add “more leadership… and a winning mentality” to the team. The opening exchanges saw the Hammers enjoy a good spell of possession without seriously troubling Town’s defence. Romsey responded with a surging run by James Martin that saw him felled in full flight by King-Philips to earn the defender a yellow card.

Town responded with a long throw-in from which a headed clearance saw the ball drop to Layton Tulk at the edge of the area and his crisply struck low drive through a crowd of players found the bottom corner of the net to put Romsey in front in the 17th minute. The hosts threatened to increase their lead with efforts from Ross blocked and Martin’s cross shot going just wide, as the first half ended with Town in control.

At the start of the second half full-back George Pomeroy replaced Marshall, who was on a yellow card, though he also collected a caution for a rash challenge in the 62nd minute. Goal scoring opportunities remained at a premium until from a Romsey corner the Hammers broke quickly down the right flank and Miles Bartram had to make a smart save to thwart Moggeridge.

Another Romsey attack ended with a crucial tackle on the edge of the Hammers’ box and two passes later Hall was bearing down on the Bypass Boys’ goal when Scott Barron was adjudged to have fouled him and, to the undisguised displeasure of the Romsey dugout, a penalty was awarded. Hall dispatched the spot kick into the top corner in the 82nd minute to level the score.

The visitors spurned a golden chance to go ahead when from a corner an unmarked Philips planted his header just wide of the post. Romsey’s winger Brandon Hill burst into the area and from a tight angle his low shot was turned away for a corner by a relieved ‘keeper. As the clock ticked into the ninetieth minute a Tulk free kick floated into the area and a defensive header fell to Ben Morris whose looping header crept just inside the post to the delight of the home fans.

The win moves Romsey up to eleventh in Division One and tomorrow they travel to second placed New Milton Town (ko 3pm).