HIINCKLEY UNITED 1 WEYMOUTH 2 STRIKER Scott Partridge picked the perfect time to open his Weymouth account and snatch late victory at Middlefield Lane.

The former Rushden and Diamonds and Exeter City star's stoppage time winner ended the Dorset side's three year winless streak against Hinckley United and sent Steve Claridge's charges up to second in the Dr Martens Premier Division.

While the clash was certainly no spectacle for footballing purists, the Terras eagerly snapped up the chances that came their way.

Hinckley, missing a handful of regulars through injury, pinned the visitors inside their own half right from the off.

The giant Leicestershire side constantly pumped balls long and high deep into Weymouth territory and it took a good afternoon's work from visiting skipper John Waldock and the excellent Mark Kenway to keep their opponents at bay.

Defender Andy Penny had an early shot deflected clear after Brad Piercewright's up and under and Terras keeper Jason Matthews did well to gather Neil Cartwright's

testing cross.

The visiting gloveman also earned his wages by denying the leggy Justin Jenkins and Leon Jackson's tame effort just before the break after his weak punch fell to the midfielder on the edge of the box.

The tame opening period saw very little of Weymouth in the attacking third as Hinckley gave creative midfielders Lee Phillpot and Martin Barlow no time to settle on the ball.

Claridge had the Terras' only real chance a minute before the break when his twisting run ended with a shot that lacked power and was gathered by the grateful Tom Whittle.

Simon Tucker went close for the hosts early into the second period but it was Claridge who put the Terras ahead on the hour with their first serious raid.

Waldock's towering defensive header found Barlow who sent the lively Partridge scampering away down the right flank.

The experienced front man forced his way to the by-line and sent over an inch perfect cross for the unmarked Claridge to prod home from close range.

That goal saw Weymouth enjoy more possession but they failed to take advantage and, although Claridge went close with a dipping volley, they were made to pay with just seven minutes left when referee Mr Bell handed Hinckley a lifeline.

A typical Knitters attack, starting from a high ball forward, found Jenkins just inside the area.

With the striker being marshalled by Waldock and seemingly going nowhere, the Rotherham-based official ruled the visiting skipper had pulled Jenkins back and pointed to the spot.

Despite furious Weymouth protests, in which Claridge was booked for dissent, Jamie Lenton then kept his cool to send Matthews the wrong way and draw his side level.

With the game appearing to be drifting towards a point apiece, then came Partridge's dramatic intervention in the second minute of stoppage time to seal the maximum haul.

A through ball by Simon Browne sent Claridge away and hesitant defending by Penny and Gavin Stone saw the ex-Portsmouth star get in a shot which was blocked by the legs of Whittle.

But the rebound fell invitingly to the lurking Partridge on the edge of the area whose left footed volley flew in through a ruck of despairing defenders on the line.