Gosport started sluggishly in the second half though, allowing Horndean back into the game to take a 4-2 lead, before Brad Tarbuck netted a consolation goal in the 90th minute. But there were some positives to take from the game with Williams, Wooden and Pat Suraci showing moments of quality that bode well for the upcoming season.

Gosport got off to a flying start as Williams whipped in a freekick from 20 yards after just 6 minutes. Williams struck the ball low beating the wall - before the ball nestled into the bottom corner.

Moments later Horndean reacted by going down the other end giving the Boro' defence a scare as they hit the bar twice in quick succession.

After 20 minutes Suraci found himself in space down the left, checked back onto his right foot and almost found Wooden in the box. The Striker was agonisingly close to connecting with the winger's cross and putting Boro' two up.

About five minutes later Boro' were on the attack again and a loose ball on the edge of the box was perfect for Williams to run onto and drive a low shot towards goal, but only found the side netting.

Horndean then took advantage of a misplaced pass in midfield just before the half-hour mark, allowing them to equalise.

Boro' were back in front though after some more excellent work from Suraci. The skillful midfielder dug out a cross deep on the byline down the left to find Wooden, who powered home a header from 12 yards.

Suraci also had an effort from the edge of the box just before half-time, his fierce strike was almost too much for Horndean’s keeper, with Wooden ready to tap in from close range before the keeper claimed the loose ball.

Gale made some changes at the break and brought on new signing Brad Lethbridge for Wooden in attack, while Josh Huggins replaced Williams at left-back and Matt Casey replaced a trialist at centre-half.

Horndean came firing out the blocks in the second half though, scoring minutes after the re-start with a shot from the edge of the box.

Boro' struggled to maintain the tempo that had seen them go into the break 2-1 up and soon found themselves 3-2 down after another shot was allowed from the edge of the box, this time curling into the top corner leaving Ellis Grant no chance.

Gale made a couple more substitutions around the hour mark which saw a second trialist come off for Owen Roundell and new signing Elliot Wheeler was replaced by another new face in Jake Wright.

A defensive mistake then saw Horndean go 4-2 up with an easy tap in with just under an hour to go.

Boro' kept plugging away looking to get something out of the game and with 10 minutes left Brad Lethbridge found Bouwe Bosma who headed wide of the post.

With five minutes left on the clock Suraci saw a free-kick from the right side of the box hit the side netting and with time running out Bosma latched on to a pass from Wright but saw his effort cleared off the line.

Tarbuck was able to grab a third for Boro’ in the 90th minute as his shot from distance flew into the back of the net.

A disappointing result, but some vital minutes for the players with Hungerford next up on Saturday,