BOURNEMOUTH'S men were gunned down 5-1 at home to Brighton, but coach John Kimber was encouraged by his side's display, believing they are "not far off" the Sussex side's high standard.

Despite taking an early lead, second-placed Brighton stunned Bourne with a powerful riposte, eventually running out comfortable winners.

But Kimber insists that the scoreline was a touch flattering to the away side and that his newly-promoted side are on the verge of emulating their opponents' success.

He said: "5-1 sounds like a bit of a drubbing but it wasn't that sort of game. Brighton are the best side we've come up against in this league.

"They are better than Ashford (current leaders) and I would be surprised if they didn't beat them to the title. I don't think we are that far off reaching Brighton's standards.

"We were only promoted to this league last season and with a bit more professionalism we can look to challenge next year.

"With the first team aiming to consolidate their position in the top three or four, we now want to focus on the seconds and thirds winning their leagues so we can raise the standards of the whole club."

The home side got the best possible start at Chapel Gate when Charlie Hayward was fouled in the 'D' after just two minutes. Hayward dusted himself down to convert the penalty flick.

But the away side then stunned Bourne with a three-goal salvo in the subsequent 10 minutes.

It took the experienced heads in the home side to settle them back into the game and they were handed a golden opportunity to pull a goal back when Richard Herring was fouled inside the area, but Hayward could not repeat his penalty flick trick.

Another goal before the break put Brighton firmly in control and although it was the away keeper who was kept far busier during the second period, a late breakaway goal gave the scoreline a satisfying feel for Brighton.

Bournemouth: Camp, Herring, Fripp, Stamper, Gilbert, Larcombe, Dyason, Munday, Perry, Blan, Hayward, Herring, Maw.

Bournemouth seconds' game with Old Mid Whitgiftians was called off while the thirds won 3-1 at home to the Isle of Wight.