The hosts opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark and two minutes into the second half, they found a second.

With 16 minutes of the 90 left, New Milton Town made it 3-0 and on 83 minutes, Payton Howard scored Chi’s only goal of the game.

It was the hosts that started the brighter of the two sides and within minutes of kick-off they had their first chance when an attempted lob was sent wide.

Chichester had their first opportunity on five minutes. Elinor Williams played a great pass through the middle of the defence to Katie Bundy, but the No.15 dragged her shot wide.

Tatiana Blackman was alert to the danger when she was out quickly to beat the onrushing attacker to the ball.

Howard looked to find the net from distance and give Chichester the lead on 23 minutes, but it was a comfortable save for the goalkeeper.

Chances then came for both sides. Elinor Williams got past the defender with a smart turn but was dispossessed just before she could get a shot away. The hosts then went on the attack and forced Blackman into a good save.

Chichester thought they had taken the lead when Gaby Hobday put the ball into the net but was denied by the offside flag.

Only minutes later, the hosts took the lead. The attacker was able to weave through the Chi defence and get a shot away that Blackman saved, but New Milton Town’s Dom Carrington was in the right place to tap the ball into the net.

Just before the half-time whistle, Chi had one final chance. Katie Long played a free-kick into the opposition 18-yard box, but it was just out of Hobday’s reach.

Minutes after the restart, New Milton Town doubled their lead when a looping effort from Jade Hockey beat Blackman and found the net.

The home side continued to go on the attack and Eloise Williams was needed to make a vital block inside the Chi penalty area.

Chichester almost got a goal back on 64 minutes. Howard was fouled just outside the penalty area and was awarded a free-kick. She then stepped up to take it and her shot rattled the crossbar.

However, 10 minutes later, New Milton Town scored their third goal as Hockey’s dipping effort from just outside the Chi 18-yard box beat the stretching Blackman.

With seven minutes left, Howard scored what turned out to be a consolation goal for Chichester. Elinor Williams was able to run to the byline and play the ball to the near post where Howard was waiting to poke it in.

Chi had one final chance before the full-time whistle when Mikki Collins played a lovely chipped ball over the defence to Eloise Williams, but she fired over.

Chichester City Women return to Oaklands Park next Sunday for a cup tie against Bournemouth Sports.

Chichester City: Blackman, Collins, Howard, Eloise Williams, K.Long, Elinor Williams, Hobday, Mottashed, Bundy, C.Long, Bond

Substitutes: Verrinder, Gardner, Butler