Lymington & New Milton survived a physical test against visiting Bournemouth Poppies to warm up for next weekend's FA Cup trip to Salisbury with another Wessex League victory.
Two goals from striker Phil Stone gave the Linnets a 2-0 home victory and stretched their run to five matches without conceding.
Lymington boss Ian Robinson was left counting the bruises on his squad's legs, though, after the game.
"It was a normal Wessex League match!" he quipped.
"For the first 40 minutes everything was fine but once we scored they tried to rough us up a bit, it wasn't very nice.
"That's the Wessex League. We want to try and play football but teams don't allow you."
Of next weekend's FA Cup fourth qualifying round trip to higher division Salisbury, Robinson said: "Our form is good, but that's Wessex League form, it's not Dr Martens League form.
"We are obviously the underdogs, and their superior class will tell at some point. We're just happy to be there.
Midfielder Trevor Smith picked up an injury against Poppies but should be fit for next week, while another midfielder John Bailey has recovered from a knee problem and should figure in a full strength squad.
The league's top scorer, Andy Forbes, cracked five goals as Winchester City stormed five points clear after trouncing Portland 6-1 away.
Forbes, who had belted a hat-trick the previous Tuesday in Winchester's 8-0 romp at Whitchurch, has now scored 21 league goals this season.
City's sixth at Portland came when Forbes struck the woodwork and the ball rebounded in off a home defender. Ex-Eastleigh striker David Laws replied.
Cowes defeated visiting Hamble 1-0 with a goal from Darren Powell while Richard Mealey and Adam Lillis gave rock bottom Alton their first win of the season, 2-0 against Christchurch, in their first game of the season at their Anstey Road ground following pitch improvements.
Blackfield & Langley face a fine for calling off their home match against Brockenhurst due to a sickness bug that had spread through the club.
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