NEW Milton boss Connor Natella resisted the temptation to go overboard after writing a new chapter in the FA Vase record books.

Natella, 22, plotted Verwood’s downfall on yesterday to become one of the youngest winning managers in the 41-year history of the competition.

In only his seventh game in management, Natella presided over an upset at Fawcett’s Field with 19 places separating Wessex One Linnets and their top-flight opponents.

Linnets, who banked £800 in prize money from the second qualifying round tie, ran out worthy victors but were forced to survive a late scare when Verwood skipper Charlie Gajic hit the crossbar.

A header from Anthony Harris paved the way for victory before Rob Woolner restored their lead from the penalty spot after an unfortunate Barney Gritt own goal had seen the visitors level.

Taylor Leonard’s finely-taken solo goal appeared to have settled the issue in favour of the hosts seven minutes from time before Joe Wood replied almost immediately when he headed home a corner to set up a tense finale.

And Verwood, under new boss Alan Lay, should have equalised in the 86th minute, with Gajic culpable as his header from point-blank range came back off the woodwork.

Natella, who had earned his first league win seven days previously, said: “The odds were against us but the character we showed was great. I felt we were in control for large periods and, but for the own goal and a poorly-defended set-piece, the scoreline would have reflected that.

“We have spoken about hitting our peak of performance in the second half of the season and I still think we have a lot of work to do. We beat a poor Pewsey Vale side and a Verwood team clearly in transition.

“I am not taking away from those results because they were hard-earned and well-deserved but nobody knows more than us that we have a lot to do in the next few months to get to where we need to be.

“That said, this group are showing all the right things and we wouldn’t have won this game a year ago. We are finally implementing game-plans and playing for each other and that gives us a great foundation.

“I wish Verwood well for the season. Alan Lay and Brian Churchill are excellent at what they do. They are in transition at the moment but I would back them to do very well there.”

Linnets: Rees, White, Carrington, Drew, Barber, Gritt, Harris, Shering, Woolner, Scrimshaw (Leonard), Barnett (D Hicks). Unused subs: J Hicks, Osorio, Davis.

Potters: Lynch, Evans, Brimson, Dyer, Kelly, McGilchrist, Fisk (Masson, 65), Gajic, Wood, Swann, Atkinson. Unused subs: Goddard, Murray, Rutten.

  • Lymington could also lay claim to having set a new record in the FA Vase during their eventful 1-0 extra-time win over Western League Division One outfit Oldland Abbotonians.

Goalkeeper Stuart Williamson saved no fewer than three penalties – one of which was a retake – as the visitors to Gloucestershire finally prevailed thanks to Darren Ritchie’s successful spot-kick.

Hero of the hour Williamson dived to his left to keep out Tom Morgan’s penalty in the first half of normal time and went the same way to save from Jordan Greenwood’s retake after the referee had deemed he had strayed off his line.

Ritchie showed the hosts how it should be done when he converted from 12 yards before Williamson outwitted Jack Parker by diving to his right to prevent his spot-kick from levelling deep into stoppage time at the end of extra-time.

  • Ringwood Town's hopes of an FA Vase upset were emphatically ended by hosts Blackfield & Langley.

An own goal and a brace from Dan Munday put Blackfield 3-1 up at the break in the second qualifying round tie.

After the restart, Rico Wilson and Miguel Laborda Gil made it 5-1 before Ringwood pulled another goal back.

Liam Robinson rounded off an thumping 6-2 win for the home side.

Elsewhere in the competition, Poppies were hammered 6-0 at Whitchurch United while Swanage Town & Herston were sunk 4-3 by visitors Corsham Town.

  • Hamworthy United hopped up to 10th place in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier courtesy of a 2-1 win over Moneyfields.

Goals from new boy Matt Groves and Stef Penny gave the Hammers victory at the County Ground.