LYMINGTON and New Milton's Darren Curtis staged a Jekyll-and-Hyde performance as Linnets fluffed their lines on opening night of the new Wessex season.

Curtis slammed home a 22-yard free-kick to drag Ian Robinson's side level at 1-1 but was then sent-off on the hour for an alleged stamp on an opponent.

And in the sweltering conditions, the Fawcett's Field side wilted in the face of heavy Newbury pressure as they fell to a first opening day defeat for six seasons.

"We've done some good things in pre-season but that counts for nothing as we didn't turn up," grumbled Robinson.

"You get quietly optimistic before the season starts but we were definitely off-colour.

"When we went down to 10 men, it was hard work but we wasted good chances which could have kept us in it and that was worrying."

Ashley Vine had headed the home side into a 14th minute lead as Linnets failed to defend a cross effectively. But they were level before half-time when Kevin Reacord was upended and Curtis' piledriver was deflected in.

Goalkeeper Kevin Scriven, on loan from Cherries, then distinguished himself with a penalty save on his debut once the referee had ordered the kick to be retaken, Scriven having been taking a drink of water when Lee Chudy's initial effort was tucked home.

But despite his heroics, there was nothing the young stopper could do when Dave Asker's flicked header beat him to put Guy Whittingham's side back in front.

And Newbury sealed the points when Chudy finally put his name on the scoresheet with just two minutes remaining.

Lymington and New Milton: Scriven, Crousden (King 65), Sheppard, Curtis, P Smith, T Smith (Brooker 75), Cox (Carter 45), Reacord, Clothier, Jackson, P James.