NEW manager Paul Masters needed just one word to sum up Winchester City’s dismal FA Vase exit on Saturday – “poor”.

When the new season dawned in early August, the Sydenhams Premier title and a decent Vase run had been high on City’s ‘to do’ list.

But recent club upheavals appeared to catch up with Masters’ new charges on Saturday as they were stunned 3-0 by divisional rivals Horndean at the Denplan City Ground.

On paper Winchester, the 2004 FA Vase winners, had everything going for them with fit-again top scorer Warren Bentley back in tandem with Zach Glasspool up top and two new signings – goalkeeper Gareth Barfoot and centre back Scott Sampson - making their debuts.

But though City had the bulk of possession, they squandered their chances – unlike the deadly Deans who struck through Mark Smith, Gary Austin and substitute Harry Potter to book a home tie against Holmer Green or Ascot United.

City had their moments with Sampson, Glasspool and Chris Mason going close before Smith put the Deans ahead on 16 minutes.

But while Barfoot was kept busy in the home goal, Winchester fashioned just one more opening before the break when Glasspool teed up Dominic Cope, who shot wide.

City began the second half on the front foot with Glasspool firing a free kick over, but they were caught on the break again as Austin extended the lead.

Stuart Green hit the post from Ryan Holloway’s cross as City tried desperately to get a foothold in the first round tie.

Having already replaced Mike McEnery with Adam Roberts, Masters threw on Geoff Dunn for Cope and Chris Manning for Mason, but all to no avail as Potter crowned Horndean’s victory with 15 minutes to go.

Masters, appointed the previous weekend following the twin departure of Tim Cole and Danny Robinson, admitted: “We missed chances and never really got going.

“You get games like that, but the concerning thing is that it’s not the first time it’s happened this season.

“The players must start learning how to win when we’re not firing on all cylinders. It’s not a problem when everything’s going for us, but we must learn to win ugly.”

Masters also wants less reliance on City’s front two. “Teams know all about the threat of Warren and Zach and we need to find other avenues to goal,” he said.

“I thought we could have a good Vase run, but it wasn’t to be.

“You can go overboard about what went wrong, but what we need now is a reaction.”

Winchester’s director of football Dave Malone reflected: “We were absolutely gutted, but the saving grace is that Horndean thoroughly deserved to win and there was no hard luck story.

“I’d hoped we’d go a long way in the Vase, but I’m a realist and I know full well you can’t put your house on winning any cup competition.

“We’ve got new players in there, which will take a bit of time, but we’re not a million miles off it. Now we’ll see what we’re made of.”

Charlie Smeeton and Ben Stanbrook are still injured, but defender Adam Tomasso should be fit for tonight’s (Tuesday’s) league trip to Fareham.

Two players have left City – goalkeeper Jason Collins heading for Hamworthy, and midfielder Liam Green signing for Blackfield.