BOSS Adie Arnold hailed the performance of match-winner Charlie Gajic after Verwood Town edged a step closer to promotion.

The Wessex One leaders secured a 1-0 home victory over Whitchurch thanks to a second-minute strike from Gajic.

Gajic’s ninth league goal of the season came from 25 yards, via the crossbar and a deflection off the visiting goalkeeper.

Arnold told the Daily Echo: “Charlie Gajic was outstanding.

“He led the side forward and it was a tremendous performance.”

With two promotion places up for grabs, Verwood are seven points clear of second-placed Team Solent, with AFC Portchester eight behind with two games in hand.

Arnold added: “It is still in our hands. We couldn’t have asked for any more than that.”

Potters: Lynch, Evans, Kelly (Anderton, 85), Delaney, Homer, Dyer, Gajic, Webb, Wrixton, Haskell, Satterley (Elysee, 65). Unused subs: Rhodes, Wilson, Shepherd.

• A last-gasp retaken penalty helped Ringwood Town grab a 2-2 draw against Cowes Sports.

Tom Dye put Cowes in front after three minutes before Sean Leadbetter levelled for the hosts.

Dominic Burbidge looked to have won it for Cowes when he struck on 88 minutes.

But after Charlie Pierson had marked his 30th birthday by taking a high boot to the head inside the penalty area, Ringwood’s Tom Yeats converted from the spot at the second time of asking.

Ringwood: Page, S Hole, Tyler, Morrell, Pierson, Manning (Brown, h-t), Leadbetter, Hardy, Eley (W Hole, h-t), Edwards (Osman, 81), Yeats. Unused subs: Bailey, Elezi.