LYMINGTON Town were dealt a double blow on the eve of the new season as they lost two centre-midfielders in the space of a few hours, but still picked up a creditable 0-0 draw at Moneyfields.

Charlie Balfe signed for Conference South club Bognor Regis while Chris Burden decided he'd had enough of non-league football altogether.

John Pyatt said: "To have that happen the day before our first game left me scratching my head a bit, I can tell you!"

Last season's Wessex Two champions were suitably shell-shocked for the first half as the Portsmouth-based side were well on top.

But Lymington held out bravely and could even have stolen all three points in an improved second-half display.

Pyatt said: "It was pretty hard for us but we got a point and now have that first game out of the way."

Lymington Town: Williamson, Stride, Rosier, Cummings, Marden, Jenkin (Young, 55), Sims, Bailey, James, Metcalfe (Power, 65), Veal. Unused sub: Tate.