TWO-GOAL Andy Turner has all but propelled Alresford Town to Sydenhams Premier Division safety.

The Mapgies’ 3-1 home win over bottom club Totton & Eling carried them to 34 points which, barring a massive turnaround in the fortunes for the clubs beneath them, should be enough to keep them up.

Totton & Eling still prop up the table with just 11 points and will need something truly special in their remaining 12 matches – starting at home to second-placed Moneyfields this evening – to avoid the drop.

Alresford took the lead after 17 minutes at Arlebury Park when Turner’s persistence won his side a corner which Craig Bryant headed back from the far post. Turner reacted quickest, pivoting and firing into the roof of the net.

A defensive mix-up allowed T&E to equalise on 24 minutes when Steve Jenkin waltzed through and, for a spell, the visitors were the better side.

But the second-half introduction of Michael Lamb and Ben Stanbrook helped Alresford regain control with ex-Miller Sam Carter netting a 20-yarder before Turner snaked unmarked behind the T&E defence to head in number three.

If, as seems likely, Alresford do stay up, they will provide living proof of the old football saying that survival is all about beating the sides around you.

Martin Beck’s Magpies have won seven and drawn one of their eight matches against the bottom four.