RESILIENT Paul Rideout proved to be Christchurch's all-conquering hero as his last-gasp winner saw war-weary Priory triumph in the Battle of Bitton.

Following a bruising encounter, Rideout popped up in the dying seconds to salvage victory for Tony Brown and Nigel Cripps' bloodied charges after they had squandered a 3-1 half-time advantage.

With nine players booked in total, including seven from the hosts, Christchurch were made to fight for their success especially after Bitton had taken a fifth-minute lead.

But after Ross Edwards had restored parity in the 12th minute and James Baker fired Priory in front after 25, Cripps' boys seemed to be winning the battle.

And when Rideout's tasty left-wing cross was spooned into his own net by a Bitton defender on the stroke of half-time, the war also looked won.

But any hope of the Bristolians waving the white flag rapidly disappeared as they firstly pulled a goal back seven minutes after the restart and then drew level thanks to a controversial offside decision.

Christchurch had Max Frampton to thank for the score remaining at 3-3 after Baker was penalised for a foul in the box and he dived low to his right to save the resultant penalty.

And just as a return trip to Hurn Bridge looked likely, Rideout latched on to Baker's defence splitting pass to convert from a tight angle and send Generals Cripps and Brown into raptures.

Cripps said: "I know they love their rugby up here but we should've worn cricket pads instead of shin pads! There will be a few bumps and bruises among our boys but from a footballing perspective we thoroughly deserved it."

Christchurch: Frampton, Rawlings, Stone, Henshaw, Baker, Griffiths, Rideout, Osborne (Fastnedge, 75), Edwards, Atkins (King, 70), Joyce (Horlock, 90).