DR MARTENS WESTERN: MARINE stay nine points adrift of Western Division safety after late salvo undid their good work.

Ray Baverstock's side held their own against the title-chasers for 83 minutes before a couple of late sucker punches condemned the Hunts Copse battlers to a 2-0 home defeat.

Chance after chance was wasted and a golden opportunity to produce the upset of the season went begging.

"It's a game we've lost that we should have won on the chances we had," said bnoss Ray Baverstock.

"It really is frustrating. We've had three or four very good openings and the game should have been put beyond them."

Star-studded Weston carved out the early opportunities, with ex-Bristol Rovers man David Mehew going close.

Former Chelsea defender David Lee also tested Elliott Jackson with a 25-yard free-kick.

Marine's best chance of the half fell to Jimmy Carter but his strike was held by Stuart Jones, formerly of Sheffield Wednesday.

Dave Gee could have given the hosts a half-time advantage, but his drive sailed over Jones' bar. Carter came within inches of giving Marine the lead five minutes after the restart as his glancing header beat the dive of Jones but hit the post and bounced to safety.

Jones then palmed away a searing Shaun Terry volley and Carter cleared the woodwork with another effort.

Carter was again off target following a succession of Marine corners on the hour.

Jody Bevan was introduced for Weston in the 75th minute and broke the deadlock within ten minutes.

Jackson failed to command a long throw into the box, colliding with Mark Saunders in the process and Bevan was able to nod into an unguarded net.

John Miller sealed the win at the death with a powerful drive through a crowd of players beyond the unsighted Jackson.

The defeat leaves Marine needing at least three wins from nine games, but Baverstock is still optimistic.

"We should have beaten them three or four nil today, but we didn't take our chances and that was the difference" he said.