Bexhill can walk tall despite defeat

The fact that United left the pitch to a standing ovation spoke volumes for the gallant fight they put up on Saturday.

Few local football followers would have given them more than an outside chance of victory but, had it not been for a poor refereeing decision, they probably would have won this fourth round tie.

Even Borough supporters in the stand conceded that Conrad Sparkes appeared to be hacked down from behind by Danny Williams three minutes from the end of normal time but Jim Slaney, whose general decision making was fairly accurate despite his numerous irritating lectures which meant the Bexhill Observer-sponsored contest finished in semi-darkness, waved away seemingly genuine penalty claims.

Manager Tony Monk said: "I'm very pleased with the performance but disappointed with the way we gave two silly goals away. We fought back very well and I thought they seemed quite rattled. We threw the game away but it was nice to get another good crowd down there."

Reserve Section Premier leaders Borough, despite playing somewhat below their best, always looked as though they had a touch more quality in possession and probably just about merited their progression given to them by Mark Goodwin's 112th minute clincher.

The pacey striker, who netted against St Leonards in the Dr Martens League last season, also gave them a 17th minute lead when he was afforded excessive time and space to rifle home from a corner as Bexhill began tentatively.

But seven minutes later Dickie Anderson picked out Sparkes with a well-judged ball over the aerially dominant Dale Hendy and the veteran striker's shot had just enough power to trickle over the line. The goal seemed to lift Bexhill and they began to assert themselves more with left-winger Anderson and the back four playing much further up the pitch.

Despite the fact that Sparkes was often isolated up front, he clinically converted what few chances came his way. His thumping header from Anderson's vicious inswinging free kick handed United a surprise lead on the half hour.

An immeasurably improved United defence, well-marshalled by Darrell Shaw, yielded little after the break despite playing too deep at times but Allan Parker-Read's fumble, which followed Tim Bigg's mis-placed pass, allowed Paul Stevens to level mid-way through the half.

Bexhill looked the fitter side in a tight additional half hour with East India Tandoori man of the match Gavin Wright charging them on and they almost tied it up again at the death but Del Longley's deflected header dropped agonisingly wide.

Bexhill return to league action on Saturday January 17 with a home match against Lingfield, kick-off 1.30pm