PETERSFIELD Town now hold a six-point lead at the Sydenhams Premier summit – and Folland Sports’ assistant boss Dave Lewis can see why.

“Pound for pound, they’re the best side we’ve played,” said the Planemakers’ number two after Ian Saunders’ Rams had turned on the championship-chasing class with a 4-2 win at Follands Park.

Goals by Dan Thompson, Ed Dryden, Warren Hunt and sub Jordan Neal fired Petersfield to victory, exacting sweet revenge for the 6-1 punishment Follands had dished out to Town at Love Lane early in the season.

The Planemakers responded with late strikes from Ryan Long and Matt Burt but, although Lewis felt they had gone “toe to toe” with the league leaders, he had no quibbles with the final outcome.

“Petersfield are very bright with the ball and, when they don’t have the ball, they’re really difficult to play against,” he said.

“(Follands boss) Danny Bowers was back for the first time in a few weeks after illness on Saturday and his comment was that Petersfield reminded him of us last year.

“They’ve got good players but, more importantly, it’s how they play as a team. They’re really well-drilled but they play with a smile on their faces too.

“We’re not the team we were, but we were much improved on Saturday and Danny (Bowers) coming back was a massive lift for the place. He’s the number one and everyone’s missed him.

“We all hate getting beat, but sometimes you’ve got to say you were outclassed by a better team.

“It’s not the first time that’s happened to us lately, but it was more our own doing before whereas Petersfield were the real deal. “In the first minute Wayne Boud went through for us and shot wide, but then Petersfield went straight up the other end and missed an open goal.

“At 1-0 down Jamie Barron had a direct free-kick which was going in, but their keeper’s pushed it over the bar.

“We went toe to toe with them, but they were the better side. In the cold light of day we were soundly beaten.”

Follands tonight visit Sholing in a delayed Russell Cotes Cup second round tie which has been switched to Portsmouth Road after four postponements at Follands Park.

Long is unavailable; Nathan Lynch and Boud are cup-tied.