Second-placed Lymington & NM surrendered their 100 per cent home record when they were beaten 2-1 by Fareham, which now means that all three of the Linnets' defeats this season have been at the hands of teams from the Portsmouth area.

Lymington lost their tag of invincibility a month ago when they were beaten 3-1 at Gosport. A fortnight later they were thumped 3-0 at nearby Moneyfields

This defeat has hurt manager Kemp far more than the other two setbacks as his side totally dominated the first 80 minutes, only for Fareham to stage a late smash 'n' grab raid.

"I'm almost lost for words," sighed Kemp. "I can't fault the effort put in by our lads today, it was superb. They've worked so hard on a heavy pitch and given absolutely everything yet we've been kicked in the teeth.

"It's very demoralising and, unlike the defeats at Gosport and Moneyfields, this one will be hard to bounce back from. For the first time, I left the football club at 5.30pm to go home to try and think and to regroup," added Kemp.

Lymington's pressure wasn't rewarded until the 67th-minute when Andy Jones's corner kick was headed in by Paul Gazzard but Fareham, who won 2-1 at Fawcetts Field last season and triumphed 4-2 at Totton last Saturday, had other ideas.

With ten minutes remaining Lloyd Webber's left-wing cross was met by Bjay Green who scored with a looping header and, two minutes from time, a melee in the Linnets' penalty area ended with substitute Floyd Hamoudu stroking home the winner.

Gosport reeled off a seventh successive league victory to move within a point of second-placed Lymington & NM as they napped basement battlers Whitchurch 5-1 at Privett Park.

"It was a very flat performance from us today, although we've taken three more points - maybe I'm a bit too critical," smiled Boro boss Gary Lee.

Jason Mann put Gosport ahead after 17 minutes from a corner and Graham Lindsey doubled their advantage 12 minutes later when he raced through the middle to score.

On 38 minutes leading scorer Neil Scammell added a third with Whitchurch reducing the arrears right on half-time when Paul Odey set-up an easy opening for Rees.

Ian Rew headed home from a Perry Holland corner on the hour mark with Lindsey notching his second and Boro's fifth ten minutes later.