A PRE-MATCH heart-to-heart paid rich dividends for Lymington & New Milton as they wiped out the disappointment of Saturday's Cowes catastrophe with a 3-0 home win over Wimborne Town last night.

"We talked for an hour and the players responded brilliantly. I couldn't have wished for a better response," purred satisfied boss Ian Robinson. "It's no mean feat to turn a side like Wimborne over - and it could have been five."

Linnets were held 0-0 in a competitive first half but Kevin James finally broke the deadlock, tucking away Ben Thomson's low cross from the left.

Jimmy Anderson teed up the second for Paddy James to nod past ex-Linnets keeper Stewart Kearn and, with ten minutes to go, two substitutes combined for number three - Paddy James turning provider for Darren Crook to slide home.

Gosport Borough still rule the roost at the top of the table after a 1-0 home win over Cowes Sports.

"It sounds tight, but we controlled it from start to finish and created a lot," reported Borough's assistant boss Gary Lee, taking charge in the absence of the holidaying Mick Marsh.

Graham Lindsey netted the only goal midway through the first half when he beat the keeper at the second attempt. John Cripps had the best chance after the break, but his smart shot on the turn rebounded off the post.

AFC Newbury are up to second having stretched their 100 per cent start to six games with a 3-1 home win over basement boys Downton.

With Mitch Blake having quit last week, Downton's manager-in-waiting Jeff Softley, the former Bemerton reserve boss, watched from the stands as Danny Mattingley, Ryan Williams and Lee Chudy (penalty) put his new charges to the sword. Danny Alpin bagged the Wiltshire side's reply from a free kick.

Reigning champions Winchester City chalked up a 2-0 home win over struggling Christchurch to go third on goal difference.

Having rammed home the 25th-minute opener from the edge of the box, Shaun Dyke was the architect of the second on 34 minutes.

His cross was headed on by Jamie Laidlaw for ex-Fareham striker Jamie Musselwhite to net his third goal in three appearances.

"They were far better than we were," confessed Christchurch boss Pete Moore. "I still think their weakness is at the centre of the back line, but we couldn't get at them enough. They could have walked off and we still wouldn't have scored!"

AFC Totton left it late to seal a 1-0 home result over Bournemouth Poppies courtesy of Gareth Byers' 85th-minute winner.

But there was no stopping fast-starting Alton, who led within a minute against Bemerton.

Skipper John Edwards launched the 4-1 victory with a brilliant 30-yard chip and by half-time Alton were four up thanks to a Steve Poulton brace and one from youth striker Lee Marker.

Although Bemerton hit back in the second half, three good saves by keeper Mark Buttress kept them at bay.

Two late Paul Morby strikes gave Fareham Town the 2-0 verdict at Hamble ASSC. "We played really well for most of the game but faded towards the end," reported Planemakers' secretary Matt Newbold.