Bexhill slip to disappointing defeat

United only showed glimpses of the football they have been producing over recent weeks and uncharacteristic defensive errors cost them dear. Add to this the dismissal of midfielder Richard Anderson for two yellow cards inside the first half hour and the task was only made harder.

In the absence of a second team fixture, reserves' manager Chas Tibbutt helped out first team counterpart Tony Monk in the dugout. He said: "It was disappointing considering the result we had the week before. It was just a stop start game and the rhythm wasn't there. No-one seemed to get their foot on the ball and keep it for any length of time and the defence, from what I could see, didn't play as it had been. They were not well-worked goals from their point of view."

In an even opening quarter of an hour, Bexhill were slightly the brighter of the two sides and took the lead on 14 minutes when Conrad Sparkes converted a penalty after being fouled in the box.

Storrington gradually felt their way back into the game and following some poor defending from United, where they failed to clear their lines on two occasions, Tasker was put through to slot past goalkeeper Aaron Heritage after 24 minutes.

United's cause was then made worse with the dismissal of Anderson for two bookings in the space of five minutes.

The second half was barely five minutes old when Heritage misjudged a cross from the right allowing the Storrington skipper Norris a free header at the far post.

United kept plugging away with midfielders Darren Witham, Sam Thompson and skipper Benjie Symes desperately trying to make things happen. But time after time passes went astray and the final ball failed to hurt Storrington.

Alex Hesmer, Ollie Leigh and Darrell Shaw were introduced in the final half hour but Tasker increased Storrington's lead from a Bexhill corner after 68 minutes, despite there being a slight suspicion of offside.

The 10 men of United kept battling to the end, driven on by East India Tandoori Man of the Match Gavin Wright and they were duly rewarded with a goal 11 minutes before time from Shaw, who had been pushed up front in the final stages.

Bexhill visit Franklands Village on Saturday February 21.