Gosport Borough sprang the shock of the day in the JWL by shattering the unbeaten record of title-chasing Lymington & New Milton with a 3-1 victory over Graham Kemp's side at Privett Park.
Manager Gary Lee said: "It was an excellent win and a very pleasing result as well as being an exciting game to watch for the supporters.
"There were a lot of questions asked of this football club and the players just two weeks ago when Eastleigh came here and thrashed us 6-1.
"Well, a lot of effort has been put in since and I think that the players have responded here today with that performance."
Lymington & NM, who needed a point to top the table, fell behind after 42 minutes when a six-man move ended with Jamie Lunn's cross headed in by Mark Peach.
Anthony Tilley fired the Linnets back on terms early in the second half before Gosport 'keeper Andy Smith was sent off on the hour mark for bringing down Steve Strong just outside the penalty area.
Midfielder Jason Mann took over in goal for the ten men who snatched the lead again ten minutes from time when Perry Holland swung the ball in for Stuart Hensman to head past the 'keeper.
There was further drama five minutes later when Lymington had AFC Bournemouth trialist Kevin Gill dismissed for a second bookable offence and, in the last minute, Graham Lindsey rounded the 'keeper to seal a 3-1 scoreline.
Kemp reflected: "It was just a bad day at the office. Leigh Phillips missed a couple of early chances but he's already scored 25 times this season so I can't really blame him.
"I felt that the unbeaten run was always going to end sooner rather than later. We've done well to get this far undefeated and we'll take it on the chin.
"It's all about showing character now and responding to this setback in the next game," added Kemp.
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