WEYMOUTH 2, CHELMSFORD CITY 1

DAVID Laws marked his 300th appearance in a Weymouth shirt by

scoring the winner in this Dr Martens Premier Division clash at the Wessex Stadium.

But the Terras marksman left it late against a decent Chelmsford City side managed by ex-Manchester United and England defender Paul Parker.

Laws struck in the very last minute of an entertaining encounter in which Mark Robinson had set the promotion-chasing hosts on their way with a goal five minutes into the second-half.

Lee Phillips did the donkey work for Laws after seizing on a mistake from Brian Statham, just inside City's half and then accelerating 30 yards before squaring to his strike partner.

Visiting keeper Richard Hurst raced off his line in a bid to narrow the angle, but he was left flapping at fresh air as Laws simply lifted the ball over his body and into an empty net.

Picking up where they left off against Salisbury in midweek, the Terras began with real purpose, forcing three corners in as many minutes straight from the kick off. But it was the Essex side who almost went in front on 15 minutes when Kris Lee skipped past Mark Rawlinson down the left before delivering an inch-perfect cross to the edge of the six-yard box.

Russell Williamson sneaked in front of defenders John Waldock and Alex Browne to connect with an out-stretched toe, but somehow Weymouth keeper Danny Potter was able to get down to his right and save one-handed.

It was a spectacular stop by the former Exeter City man and one that confirms once and for all that the FA Cup nightmare against Hinckley United is well and truly behind him.

The Terras best opportunities of the opening half fell to Rawlinson and Robinson on 24 and 29 minutes respectively.

First Rawlinson curled just wide with Hurst way off his line and Robinson saw his fierce drive well saved following a surging run forward by the outstanding Alex Browne.

Michael Dean wasn't far away either with a volley from the edge of the 18-yard area, while Waldock blocked superbly at the other end to deny Williamson with the final kick of the period.

The second-half started at an electrifying pace with both teams having their keepers to thank as the play switched from one end to other.

Potter again showed his class from Junior Samuels close range diving header, while Hurst did just as well to beat away efforts from Phillips and Robinson.

However, the City number one was at fault for Weymouth's opener, which came in the 50th minute. Laws smacked a half-volley, which Hurst really should have held on to and in sprinted Robinson to bury the rebound with style.

The Terras turned it on for the next 15 minutes and Hurst was kept busy dealing with goalbound headers from Laws, Phillips, Ian Hutchinson and Alex Browne.

But the hosts were given a scare 20 minutes from time and were relieved to see Williamson's nod from a Danny Hockton lob, scrap the top of the crossbar.

The late introduction of substitute Jason Rowbotham suggested Weymouth were happy to protect their single goal advantage, but that man Laws had other ideas.

His last minute goal was greeted with a standing ovation by fans in the main stand who hardly noticed Samuels netting an injury time consolation for City with a shot on the turn from just inside the home penalty area.