Scott Rendell scores twice as AFC Totton beat Havant & Waterlooville to keep pressure on Southern League Premier South leaders Merthyr Town

AFC Totton kept the pressure on Southern League Premier South leaders Merthyr Town on Tuesday night.

The Stags won 3-1 in a home Hampshire derby with Havant & Waterlooville and sit four points behind Merthyr with two games in hand.

Scott Rendell scored twice against his former club to put AFC Totton in control. His first goal came after Ethan Taylor’s ambitious volley was brilliantly touched onto the crossbar by Hawks keeper Ben Dudzinski.

Tom Blair then provided the cross for Rendell to head home at the far post his 14th goal of the season midway through the second half.

Substitutes Charlie Austin and Craig Tanner combined to set up the third goal, the latter’s cross diverted into his own net by Ben Seymour.

Havant replied late on through Harvey Laidlaw’s long-range drive but it’s still advantage AFC Totton in the title race, with their crunch home clash with Merthyr at the start of March nearly in view.

Before then, AFC Totton make the trip to Swindon Supermarine tomorrow (Saturday).