BOURNEMOUTH Poppies' dream start to the campaign continued as they held on to pole position in Wessex One with a hard-fought victory over Bemerton Heath Harlequins.

It was the ever-reliable Karim Benssaouda who bagged a sublime winner as Pete Moore's side fought back from 2-1 down to make it five from five in the league and keep them top of the Wessex tree.

Lamin Dibba had headed Moore's men into an early lead before a double whammy set them back before the break. But Richie McCabe equalised before Benssouda's special sealed the points.

Moore said: "I think the scoreline flattered them. In the second half, we were awesome; it was like the Alamo at times.

"I told the lads at half-time we were playing at too low a tempo. We needed to use our pace and it showed in the second half.

"Steve Slade (Bemerton manager) said going forward we are a real handful and we showed a bit of character in bouncing back."

Dibba opened Poppies' account when he rose highest to thump home Gary Langrish's accurate right-wing centre.

But a penalty, conceded by Billy Robinson, brought the visitors level before they turned the game on its head by going in front soon after.

McCabe restored parity before the break, bravely diving in to convert another Langrish cross before Benssaouda twisted and turned to fire home the decider midway through the second half.

Describing the winner, Moore added: "Karim turned the defender this way and that so many times I thought his number was on the front of his shirt by the end of it!"

Poppies next challenge is a trip to Newbury on Saturday, September 3.

Poppies: Harvell, Briscoe, Robinson (Merritt 65), Dibba, Langrish, Wyatt, McCabe, Bailey-Pearce, Saadi, Benssaouda, Joyce. Unused subs: Kydd, Morrell, Dancer, Constable.

AUGUST 30 OTHER RESULTS

Bell's Scottish League Challenge Cup, Second Round: Brechin 0 Morton 2, Dundee 1 Airdrie Utd 1 (Dundee win 3 - 2 on penalties), Partick 4 St Johnstone 4 (St Johnstone win 8-7 on penalties), Raith 2 Dumbarton 1, Ross County 0 Hamilton 1.

Dorset Premier League: Bridport 2 Westland Sports 1, Gillingham Town 1 Stourpaine 1, Hamworthy United Reserves 2 Bournemouth Sports 1, Holt United 2 Cranborne 0, Sturminister Newton United 1 Blandford 1.