Lymington & New Milton believe they have successfully repelled another notice of approach for one of their star players.

Having fended off Basingstoke Town's interest in Ben Thomson and Lymington Town's attempts to woo Jimmy Anderson to Southampton Road, the New Forest club have received assurances from centre-back Paul Towler that he has no interest in joining Vase holders Winchester City.

Towler, 32, has settled superbly at Fawcetts Field since turning up on the Linnets' doorstep in January this year. The former Watford, Newport County, Met Police and Hendon centre-back boasted such top credentials that Linnets boss Ian Robinson initially laughed at the idea that he wanted to drop into the Wessex League.

But Towler, who had moved to the New Forest area with his young family, was adamant he wanted local football and hand-picked the Linnets as his ideal club.

Robinson confirmed: "We've had notice of approach for Paul from Winchester, but I spoke to him last Saturday and he said he wouldn't even contemplate talking to them.

"He gets on well with everyone here and he's enjoying his football. He's an easy-going character, but very determined to win. He's been instrumental in our change of fortunes."

Having covered themselves with glory in the FA Cup this season, Lymington are determined to better last season's Vase run which ended with a 3-2 home defeat by Bitton in the last 32.

Three other Wessex clubs - Andover, Gosport and Winchester - made it to the quarter-finals and the Linnets potentially could do the same.

But with a trip to Wessex rivals Bournemouth awaiting them tomorrow, Robinson says his ambition lies no further than winning the next game.

He said: "You can set yourself goals, but you never know with cup football. You need that bit of luck. Poppies know all about us. We've already beaten them 5-2 this season and they must be smarting about that.

"I'm not sure if a Wessex side will win the Vase this season, but I can see us having a better representation in the latter stages than we've had in ages. The standard of the Wessex is getting stronger all the time."