ROMSEY Town returned to winning ways on Tuesday evening, as three second half goals saw them prevail over the stubborn defence of Petersfield Town.

After a goalless first half, which was long on effort but short on quality, the game burst into life as the Bypass Boys took all three points with goals from John Cole, Ant Croucher and Jack Odam.

Despite Town enjoying more possession in the first half, it was the Rams who squandered the best goal scoring opportunities. Both of their centre backs missed the target from free set piece headers and ‘keeper Jordi Valero made a vital save early on to deny the lightning quick Marvin Orepo. Town’s best effort were from long range as a Pearce Farren free kick was deflected to safety and Odam’s speculative shot was denied at the expense of a corner.

Town began the second half with renewed impetus and Odam drew a full length save from Rams’ ‘keeper Tim Jackson, who had been a commanding presence between the uprights. His resistance was breached though in the 66th minute when a free kick by Harry Prisk on the left wing saw Cole soar above the defence to head home the opening goal. Romsey extended their lead in the 75th minute whenever another header from a Prisk free kick appeared to have been safely gathered by Jackson, but he spilled the ball and an alert Croucher pounced to stab home his first goal for the club.

Another calamitous Jackson error in the 85th minute sealed the victory when he miscontrolled a long ball being chased down by Odam who calmly rounded the hapless ‘keeper and slotted the ball into an unguarded net. Town remain in eighth place in the Division One table with 24 points just two points outside the play off zone. Tomorrow they welcome New Milton Town to the AEC Protection Ground (ko 3.00pm) in a league fixture.