RINGWOOD are hanging on to their top-flight status by the skin of their teeth after striker Dan Baguley hit the winner against his former club.
Baguley, released by Hammers earlier this year, headed Mark Burrett's free kick past United goalkeeper Martin Peters to give his side three vital points.
Ringwood will be hoping to make it two wins on the trot when they visit bottom club Downton tomorrow (11am).
Town boss Jy Taylor said: "We knew if we had lost on Saturday that would be it, we would be down.
"But it was great to get a win, although we still need a miracle of miracles to stay up.
"We can't be relaxed against Downton. We only beat them 2-0 at home and they have drawn against Wimborne.
"We've got to realise we're second bottom, approach the game properly and make sure we get three points and not be kicking ourselves afterwards."
Taylor added: "Dan was over the moon because he was desperate to score against his old side.
"He has done so well for us since we got him here. That was his fifth game and he's scored twice.
"Dan's been playing up front on his own and is working very hard. He's got a reputation for being a little bit lazy, but we haven't seen that.
"He's held the ball up well and was desperate to prove to Hamworthy they were wrong to let him go."
Luckless Hammers hit the woodwork through Nathan Walker (twice) and Micky Hubbard, while Steve Legg missed a late one-on-one by putting the ball wide.
Nick Russon and Andy Jones are unavailable for Ringwood tomorrow, but Mike Carroll, Jason Atkins and Danny Taylor return to their squad.
Ringwood: Rhodes, Burrett, Pierson, Brunnen, Greaves, Leadbitter (Russon 65), Sajic, Wright, Gogan, Bellott, Baguley. Unused subs: Jones, J Taylor, Hicks.
Hamworthy United: Peters, Gilbert, Dovell, Horlock, Walker, Middleton (Byerley 60), Legg, Hubbard, Mutch, Thomas (Revnue-Noite 75), Jackson. Unused subs: Glavin, Grimason.
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