AS HOLDERS Winchester slipped out of the Vase, Lymington and New Milton stated a credible case for why they could be the next Wessex League winners.

Despite having to tackle a 600-mile round trip to Billingham in the north-east, frostbite-inducing weather conditions and some bruising treatment on the pitch, the Fawcett's Field outfit showed why they could yet prove worthy pretenders to Winchester's crown.

And, although the performance was a long way from the uninhibited, free-scoring Linnets of the Wessex League, the battling display revealed hidden qualities that could yet stand them in good stead for the challenges to come.

Robinson elected to start with Ben Thomson supporting Michael Jackson up front and, after a nervy opening from both sides, it was Thomson who offered up the first goal threat. He worked some space with a jinking run on the edge of the box but his shot was comfortably parried by Darren Collier, once on the books of Blackburn Rovers.

But the game truly sparked into life following an off-the-ball incident in the 24th minute. Tony Hall took exception to a Jackson challenge and aimed a kick at the frontman after the ball had gone.

Referee David Lawrence, who had already allowed a number of hefty challenges to go, had his back to the incident but was alerted by the fourth official and Hall was lucky to escape with just a yellow card. As driving sleet and hail set in, the game struggled to maintain any flow but the visitors' defiant attempts to stick to their passing game paid off 34 minutes in.

A Billingham corner was cleared to halfway where Jackson controlled and produced a defencesplitting through ball to Thomson.

The former Brockenhurst man cut inside his defender, looked to have taken too long as he tried to round Collier, but recovered and kept his head to fire into the empty net for the opener.

Having failed to force Linnets goalkeeper Mark Watson into a save in the opening half, the Northern League outfit emerged with previously unseen intent after the break.

The New Forest side were forced on the defensive as the hosts enjoyed long spells of possession.

But the back four, expertly marshalled by the inspirational Paul Towler, stood tall and Billingham were reduced to speculative longrange efforts, 20-goal striker Carl Chillingsworth a mere spectator for much of the game.

Chris Smith was pole-axed by another flying Billingham arm as Mr Lawrence again decided to exercise leniency. But the 19-year-old midfielder brushed off the encounter to emerge as a standout contender for man-of-the-match, his boundless energy and tenacious tackling providing invaluable protection for the back-line.

And with Town's need becoming increasingly desperate, Linnets began to find joy with their rapier counter attacks.

Kevin Reacord had already wasted two golden opportunities to double the lead before he atoned for his misdemeanours with a perfect

through ball to Jackson who confidently drilled his shot under Collier to give his side breathing space.

And, as Billingham's discipline began to evaporate altogether, it was Anderson who provided the fairytale finish in the 90th minute. Collier raced outside his box to clear as Kevin James closed in but his weak clearance fell straight to Jimmy Anderson who dispatched an inch-perfect 30-yard effort back over the head of the retreating goalkeeper.

There was still time for the home side to reply, Richard Ward turning home Jason Ainsley's quicklytaken free-kick with the last kick of

the game to provide departing manager Alan Robinson with a parting gift.

But there was no dampening the Linnets celebrations. The sleet, snow and gales will all seem a distant memory if it is they lifting the Vase on a warm, sunny Saturday in May.