DISGUSTED Dixie Dean threatened to make major changes following Saturday’s shambolic showing at a windy Godstone Road.

It was the first time this season that The Lingers’ boss had lost patience with his players and he was clearly hurting afterwards as the inquest went on long into the night at the friendly village club.

Dean said: “These players are being well looked after by this club and yet that performance was simply not good enough today. We never really put their goalkeeper under any pressure and I was disappointed with our midfield and attack in particular.

“I will not hesitate to make changes to put things right. I had told my players before the game to go out there and make the whole league talk about this club again and then they went out and played like that. Without a doubt East Preston were a very good side, but we made it far too easy for them today.”

The Lingers were woeful in attack, barely troubling the visitors’ goalkeeper Joel Harding who had appeared to be unconvincing unlike the remainder of his talented team-mates .

Incredibly, despite Dean’s rousing pre-match team talk, Lingfield were caught cold after only 70 seconds as the table toppers broke the deadlock, outstanding left-winger Darren Boswell firing home inside the far post, giving impressive goalkeeper Adam Dunsford no chance.

Worse was to follow for the listless Lingers after only eight minutes as striker Liam Baitup punished flat footed defending from Boswell’s near-post left-wing corner to make it 2-0 to the inspired visitors.

The Lingers were effectively sunk without trace after 21 minutes when Boswell, who pulled all the strings, produced a through ball which split the static defence and Baitup completed his brace by firing home, giving Dunsford no chance.

The hosts reduced the arrears after 49 minutes when striker Craig Pitterson, who also hit the woodwork, shot home from close range, finishing off fine approach work with Daryl Coleman at the helm.

But East Preston set the seal on their success with a 59th minute penalty which was converted by captain Joe Shelley, beating Dunsford from the spot after The Lingers’ skipper Gareth Graham had been adjudged by impressive referee Jacob Miles to have fouled substitute Tom Levitt following Shelley’s incisive pass.

The visitors, who included several players with Bognor Regis Town connections, warmed down professionally on the pitch afterwards in keeping with their slick display.

By David Groves