Swindon Supermarine managed to secure survival in the Southern League Premier South with a 3-0 final day victory over Winchester City.

As the league season entered its final day on Saturday, Supermarine were in the bottom four in the Southern League Premier South but knew that a win would be enough for survival as the two teams above them, Plymouth Parkway and Beaconsfield Town were playing each other and so could not both take maximum points.

After overcoming a nervy start to proceedings at the Webbswood Stadium in which Fiachra Pagel was forced into a few good stops to keep the game level, Marine began to find their footing around the half-hour mark.

Late in the first half, Ryan Campbell gave reason for them to calm down as he exchanged a quick pair of passes on the edge of the box before leathering a shot beyond the goalkeeper to give the hosts the lead.

Michael Fernandes could have doubled their advantage before the break but he was not able to keep his effort down and fired over the bar.

It didn’t take long after the restart for that pivotal second goal to arrive as Harry Williams was in position to capitalise on a defensive error before setting up Fernandes in the middle to turn home at the far post.

A third goal would have made absolutely sure and George Dowling almost found it after 69 minutes when he charged through but curled wide of the target.

One frantic minute saw both sides nearly find the net as first a desperate goalmouth scramble in the Winchester penalty area somehow stayed out before the visitors went up the other end and Mat Liddiard had to clear off the line.

But then with three minutes to go the party could begin as Fernandes got beyond his marker and sent in a cross that was deflected into his own goal by Joshua McCormick.

In the end, Marine finished the season just one point above the drop in the tightest of relegation scraps as a single point separated five teams from Sholing in 15th with Beaconsfield Town, who went down in 19th.

Following a particularly difficult start to the season in which Supermarine picked up just one point from their opening 12 games, the appointment of Stuart Fleetwood saw the former player guide them to safety, picking up 48 points from his 34 games in charge.