Newly-enthroned Jewson Wessex League kings Eastleigh came back down to earth last night with a 1-1 draw at Lymington & New Milton.

It was a low-key match by their usual standards, but one which 19-year-old Millbrook lad Adam Cook is sure to remember.

It was the young midfielder who gave the champions the lead midway through the first half with a 25-yard blast that slipped through the hands of keeper Alan Walker-Harris.

Unfortunately, the injury-prone youngster was stretchered off in the second half after landing awkwardly and damaging ankle ligaments.

Manager Paul Doswell said: "Adam's a real prospect. He's come up through the youth side and would have got his first-team chance earlier had it not been for a knee injury.

"He's a central midfielder very much in the mould of our own Danny Woods. At 19 he's a very strong boy, but injuries have held him back."

Leg victim Woods was one of a stack of first-choice players who missed last night's game. Nicky Banger (Achilles) and Chris White (hamstring) were still injured, Martin Beck has a swelling on his back and both David Hughes and Stu Roberts were ill.

Lymington, who also drew in the league at Ten Acres, hit back with a late Scott Metcalf equaliser.

Doswell reflected: "It was a pretty dour affair on a dustbowl of the pitch, but we might get one or two games like that now.

"We had three decent penalty appeals turned down and our goalkeeper Colin Matthews didn't really have a shot to save before they scored in the last minute."

Next up in Eastleigh's championship road show is Friday night's trip to Andover where Saints idol Matt Le Tissier will put in an appearance.