Assistant boss Richie Phippard believes that Lymington & New Milton may have blown any hopes of title glory already following their 2-1 reverse at Cowes Sports.

"Our performance was very disappointing and there has just been a major inquest out on the pitch," revealed Phippard.

"Our players seem to think that teams are going to lay down for us and weren't prepared to roll up their sleeves and battle. They didn't fancy it.

"We've now lost three league games and that could finish us for the title already - it's certainly left us with a mountain to climb," he added.

Cowes took a 28th-minute lead through Ross Gregory before the Linnets levelled just before half-time when Darren Curtis headed in at the far post from a Jimmy Sheppard corner.

The visitors were then awarded an 85th-minute penalty when Pete Smith was fouled, but Ben Thomson strangely opted for a fancy chip into the middle of goal and straight into the arms of the grateful keeper.

Moments later, a Kev Reacord effort hit the crossbar and, while the Lymington players stood with arms in the air appealing that the ball had crossed the line, Cowes broke straight upfield to snatch a winner through Elliott Day.