LYMINGTON and New Milton took just 90 painful minutes to discover that the mistakes they got away with in Wessex League football will be brutally punished in the Ryman Division One.

Anyone under the impression that there was no real gulf between the levels came in for a rude awakening at Fawcett's Field as Sydenhams champions Linnets were taught a lesson they are unlikely to forget.

"We learned that if we give the ball away cheaply, we'll get severely punished," reflected manager Ian Robinson. "We wanted to know what this level was like - and now we do.

"We made two cast-iron mistakes which cost us goals against a very accomplished side who closed us down hard.

"I'm hoping Cray are one of the better teams in this league, but if that's the quality of the sides we've got to play then we'd better get on the learning curve fast. Today was a baptism of fire."

Peter Smith's afternoon summed up Linnets' rollercoaster ride against a Cray side who are themselves in only their second season as a Ryman club, having finished sixth in their debut year - and top scorers to boot - and lost to Horsham in the play-offs.

For 15 minutes, the lively full-back posed Wanderers all sorts of problems down the left flank, but he was among many in the Linnets side who dilly-dallied too long in possession for the boss's liking.

On his day, Smith's speed and endeavour make him a handful for any defence, but Robinson said: "He's got to learn and learn quickly that he hasn't got time to dwell on the ball like he wants to. His brother Trefor fell into the same trap. They were far too hesitant making decisions."

That said, Robinson had nothing but sympathy for the younger Smith (Pete) when his afternoon was controversially cut short by red card.

Cray's 40-year-old striker Gary Abbott forced a goalline clearance in the 63rd minute and the ball came back out to Leigh Bremner whose powefully-driven follow-up hit Smith on the line.

On the advice of his linesman, the referee awarded a penalty and sent Smith off for handball, but the youngster was adamant it had struck him on the head and not the hand.

As former Aldershot favourite Abbott jubilantly stroked home the spot kick, there was bemusement among the Linnets who can ill afford to lose one of their best young players to suspension.

Coach Dave Taviner said: "The ref tried to send Trefor Smith off at first even though he's blonde and Pete's got red hair - and then the ref wonders why we get cross with him. Pete says it was definitely a header, which explains why the ball flew out like it did. If you handle it, it drops down to the floor."

Linnets, though, were taking nothing away from a Cray side who, having shaken the early stiffness out of their legs after a 2.30pm arrival, got stronger and stronger as the game progressed.

They took the lead on the half-hour when the Michael Power's fierce drive struck the foot of the post and Jamie Kempster sweetly turned his marker to fire the loose ball home.

Linnets were guilty of more catastrophic defending eight minutes later when Bremner capitalised on John Mulhern's mistake to nod home number two.

Twice Linnets keeper Mark Watson turned over long-range strikes by Ross Lover as Cray threatened further damage, while Linnets were limited to two gift headers spurned by new signing Gareth Barnes from Wimborne Town and a couple of testing deliveries by Mark Clothier when they were down to ten men.

In their defence Linnets were without holidaying right-back Sam Carter, a revelation last season, and injured quartet James Ford, Ben Griffiths, Chris Smith and Martin Beck.

"We can't afford to lose people of that stature, but take nothing away from Cray, they were a really well organised side," said Robinson. "Their three centre-halves didn't once come out of that role. When Gareth Barnes dropped short, the defence didn't track him, they just passed him onto the midfield confident that they would pick him up.

"If I spoke to our players about doing that at the moment, it would be lost on them.

"Hopefully not too many other sides will be capable of replicating what Cray did today."

Linnets are in desperate need of a new football secretary. Anyone interested can ring assistant manager Richie Phippard on 07776 228223.

Lymington & New Milton: Mark Watson, Kevin Reacord, Pete Smith, Paul Towler, Darren Powell, Steve Marwood, John Mulhern (Ben Thomson, 56), Mark Clothier, Gareth Barnes, Lee Chudy (Kevin James, 56), Trefor Smith. Unused subs: Stuart Hussey, Richard Gregory, Mike Hookway.