Don't mention the Portsmouth area when you speak to Lymington & New Milton player/manager Graham Kemp.

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.

That defeat coupled with Eastleigh's 1-0 away success at BAT means that the Ten Acres club go into the new year with a seven-point lead.

The only goal came after just three minutes when Warren Kenna crossed to the far post for Robbie Matthews to head home and maintain Eastleigh's unbeaten away record.

Eastleigh's assistant manager David Hughes said: "I'm very pleased because the pitch was heavy and we knew that we wouldn't be able to knock the ball around.

"We all had to dig in and do what I call the ugly stuff well - you've got to put in performances like that if you want to do well."

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.

Fourth-placed Wimborne Town were also among the goals as they maintained their title push with the help of a Paul Sims hat-trick in their 6-1 victory at Blackfield & Langley.

Mark Smith put the Magpies in front on five minutes but Blackfield rallied and were back on terms after 26 minutes through Stephen Wheatland.

Once Jamie Sturgess had restored their lead six minutes later there was no looking back for Wimborne as Sims sunk the home side and Gareth Barnes added a sixth.

Thatcham manager Steve Melledew was a happy man after watching his side climb up to fifth following their 3-0 home win over Alton.

"I'm very pleased," smiled Melledew. "The boys looked a bit tired towards the end of the game following our Boxing Day draw with Newbury but you also have to remember that we had four 16-year-old lads playing today."

The Berkshire side got off to the perfect start after just two minutes when Bob McClay rifled home a penalty after Jamie Green had been brought down.

Russell Green headed in Thatcham's second on 56 minutes from Stan Howard's corner and Sean Cook poached a third after Green's shot had been deflected into his path.

WITH immediate effect Tom Lindon has stood down as secretary of the Jewson Wessex League due to ill health. The acting secretary will be Denis Emery (tel: m 077 1071 4843 b 02380 339992). In the event that Denis is not available, please contact any league officer.

When Basingstoke keeper Scott Tarr dropped out due to sickness, Winchester City manager John Robson allowed Stoke boss Ernie Howe to register James Kirby just before the 11am deadline.

A pretty sound performance by the City man helped beat visiting Grays 3-1 to keep 'Stoke in sixth position in the Ryman League Premier.

After Grays had taken a 15th-minute lead, the hosts levelled just before half-time when a corner by Efan Elad was headed in by Craig McAllister.

Neville Roach scored a great goal to put Basingstoke in front on 55 minutes, turning his marker to score, and it was no surprise when 17-year-old Alex Ewin added a third in the 78th minute with a well-placed shot.