POPPIES boss James Wood hopes X-rays will confirm defender Joe McGrath did not break his leg during their 1-0 home win over US Portsmouth last night.

McGrath went off early during his side's Wessex League Cup second round triumph courtesy of Ben Lucas's 55th-minute winner.

Wood, who had seen Mark Dancer miss a twice-taken penalty for his side when it was still 0-0, said: "Joe collided with the goalkeeper and his studs got caught in the ground.

"He was taken to hospital for X-rays on his ankle and we're hoping he hasn't broken anything.

"It will be a massive blow to us if he is out. He has been playing excellently for us in recent weeks."

McGrath's injury took some gloss off Poppies' win as they aim to go one better than last season when they lost to Lymington Town in the final.

Poppies: Harvell, Dibba, McGrath (Cherrett 20), Lucas, Crow (Beckett 80), White, Dancer, Morrell (M Toy 75), M Smith, Phillips, Ambouda. Unused subs: McCabe, Kearn.

  • Christchurch manager Graham Kemp hailed his side's 2-1 win over high-flying VT FC as "our best performance of the season."

Tyrone Bowers gave VT a 20th-minute lead, but Paul Rideout side footed home Priory's 80th-minute equaliser.

Mark Burrows grabbed their last-gasp winner.

Christchurch: Dand, Costello, Loader (Collins 75), Coleman, Hodder, Jenvey, Drew (Lawrence 65), Rideout, Midgeley, Woolner, Burrows.Unused subs: Till, Conroy, Mawer.

  • Ringwood threw away a 2-0 lead and had Sean Leadbetter sent off as they lost 5-2 at East Cowes.

Tony Bellott and Mike Carroll hammered Ringwood in front only for Nathan Bett to make it 2-1 at the break.

Mark Watson levelled with a penalty for handball before Bett, Andrew Ebbs and Frank Jones gave East Cowes victory.

Ringwood: Goodman, Brunnen, Russon (Cox 35), Kerly, Leadbetter, Howse, Wright, Greaves, Bellott (Hicks 70), Carroll (Taylor 65), Foster.

  • New Milton lost 2-1 at home to Romsey.

Other Wessex League Cup, second round, results: Moneyfields 2 Cowes Sports 1, Petersfield 4 Hamble 0, Bemerton 6 Aldermaston 0, Totton 3 Warminster 0, Fareham 2 Alresford 1, Hayling 0 Alton 1.