LYMINGTON and New Milton played the role of party poopers to perfection as they gate-crashed champions Winchester City's celebrations to steal a famous victory.

Darren Curtis' last-gasp winner provided sweet revenge for Ian Robinson's side after they were robbed by a last-minute Andy Forbes strike at Fawcett's Field in November.

And it put a damper on the title winners' festivities with a bumper crowd of 325 left mostly stunned and disappointed.

The shock three points put Linnets in with a shout of third place but Gosport Borough produced a late winner of their own at Thatcham to secure the spot.

Regardless of missing out on third, it has been a remarkable season for Robinson and his side. Last summer, there was not a player or a manager in sight at Fawcett's and the side was built entirely from scratch.

On the whole, it has been a successful campaign, with a decent, if somewhat controversial, run in the FA Vase and a heroic semi-final defeat to Conference side Farnborough Town in the Hampshire Senior Cup.

And the win at the Denplan Stadium, only the second time Winchester have lost at home in the Wessex League this season, provided a more-than-satisfying finale to proceedings.

Not that everyone appreciated it. Robinson's charges came with a game plan to frustrate the champions and although they pulled it off to a tee, their tactics didn't go down so well with City boss Neil Hards who believed everyone was "bored" and "yawning" at their display.

But did it bother the Linnets boss? Not in the slightest.

"I know he (Hards) has had a moan about the way we played but we came with a game plan, the lads stuck to it and it worked for us," grinned Robinson.

"They score goals for fun so we weren't going to come here and play with three up front. We made sure we didn't over-commit and although they had plenty of possession, you don't win games with sideways passes.

"I think they just thought we were just going to turn up for their party but they underestimated us and we enjoyed that victory."

The hosts dominated with long spells of possession in the opening period but goalkeeper Alan Walker-Harris was rarely forced to sweat, no more so than he would have been in the baking sun anyway!

And the visitors were rewarded for a tireless display in the 41st minute when Darren Curtis' free-kick switched play leaving Winchester exposed and Kevin Reacord slammed the ball in off the post.

But City were level before half-time after Pete Smith was harshly adjudged to have handled Andy Forbes' shot and the unstoppable hitman stepped up to net his 55th Sydenham's Wessex League goal for the season.

The second half followed a similar pattern with Ian Mancey and Toby Redwood going close with headers before Reacord burst past Shaun Dyke with seconds remaining to cross the ball for Curtis to gleefully ram home the winner.

Lymington and New Milton: Walker-Harris, Curtis, P Smith, Towler, Sheppard, Bailey, K James, T Smith, Reacord, C Smith, Thomson. Subs not used: Croudson, Cox, King.