Unlucky 13th for Selsey after aecond straight loss

Ian Martin’s side now sit in 13th place, but only three points separate them from the five teams above in the County League table.

But against a team that had not lost for fourteen league games boss Martin said the side accepted that they had a bad day at the office.

He told the Observer: “It was a bit disappointing to be honest, we were pretty poor.

“We played below par but still held them and created chances of our own.

“Their first goal was pretty much the last kick of the first half so it was a disappointing time to concede.

“We’re not concerned about it – we’ve come on so much throughout the season. We just have to make sure we’re back playing to our potential again.”

Sam Joyce was again busy in the Selsey goal, and whilst the hosts called for his dismissal when he brought down Ryan Bradley on 45 minutes, Ashley Rees was on hand to tap in the opener for Peacehaven.

And it was from another penalty appeal that the home side got their second goal – referee Stuart Green adjudging that Bradley had been brought down this time.

Rob O’Toole stepped up on 64 minutes and scored at the second attempt after Joyce saved his spot kick, leaving Martin’s side with only one win from their last five.

But the Selsey boss said: “They didn’t have any class – not like Crawley Down have got. They’re quite strong in the middle of midfield.

“It’s not my kind of football but you have to compete against it and earn the right to play the type of football you want to play.

“I thought when we kept eleven players on the pitch we could match them but we didn’t.

“We’ll have two good training sessions this week, re-galvanize ourselves and put it right as soon as possible.”

With the end of the season in sight, Selsey are set for a string of away games before their run in concludes with three consecutive home games.

First up though is a home tie against East Grinstead Town on Saturday, a team only four points above Selsey in seventh position.

MARK ALLAWAY