Plummer red card leaves AFC Portchester wirh ‘mountain to climb’ in Wessex League loss at joint-leaders Lymington

Plummer was sent off for dissent early in the second half, leaving the Royals with an uphill battle.

'It was disappointing to find ourselves two goals behind at half-time,' said Royals manager Mick Catlin.

'We gave away a sloppy goal at a free-kick and then they got in behind us for their second goal.

'That put us very much on the back foot.

'In the second half we were much better and just starting to get on top when we had our player sent off.

'He had been warned by the referee in the first half.

'Then he was fouled and, though we won the free-kick, the official obviously didn't like something Rudi said and sent him off.

'That left us with a mountain to climb and extremely difficult.

'I have to be pleased with how the players did after that.

'In ways we were better on the ball but it was difficult to break them down to create chances.

'I can't fault the efforts from the players.'

Plummer had been recalled to the starting XI after missing the previous week’s shock FA Vase loss to US Portsmouth through injury.

Other changes included Cameron Scott starting in goal, in place of the injured Brad Snelling, and assistant manager Lee Molyneaux also starting.

The Royals’ misery was completed with Craig Harding picking up a knee injury which could keep him out for at least two weeks.

Ex-Portchester striker Owen Fee was among the Lymington scorers as they extended their 100 per cent start to seven league games.

They have now kept 11 clean sheets in 13 league and cup games, with ex-Fareham keeper Ross Casey in goal of most of those matches.

Portchester cross the Solent to take on Cowes Sports in league action at Westwood Park on Tuesday (7.30pm).

Cowes will be fresh from their 8-1 weekend thrashing of Portland - the latter’s third eight-goal defeat this season.

Portland have now shipped 28 goals in four successive away games, after previous losses at Baffins (8-1), Fareham (8-2) and Christchurch (4-1).

Sub John McKie scored four times for Cowes after coming on as a 65th minute sub, including a hat-trick in six minutes.

AFC Portchester: Scott, Hibberd, Molyneux, Castle, Dempsey, Chamberlain, Mason, Hanratty, Harding, Wort, Plummer.