High-flying Bexhill United held by second-bottom hosts

The Pirates dropped points against a team from outside Southern Combination League Division One’s top five for the first time all season in a 1-1 draw away to Midhurst & Easebourne.

What’s more, Midhurst - who would have gone bottom had they lost - played most of the match with 10 men after having a player sent-off 10 minutes before half time.

See also: * Bexhill United boss: We mustn’t look beyond next game* Bexhill United sign ex-Eastbourne Borough ace* New date for Bexhill United’s key clash against fellow high-flyers* Bexhill United beat strong opposition to stay in touch with top twoBexhill manager Ryan Light said: “I think the emotion was not one of disappointment, it was more of frustration really. Very frustrated with the whole afternoon. It was just a very frustrating game.”

Joel Kalambayi made his first start for Bexhill up-front in the absence of Drew Greenall, while Georges Gouet started out wide as Jack McLean was only fit enough to feature as a late substitute.

With Bexhill kicking down the slope during the first half, the game started fairly evenly and although both teams tried to attack, chances were at a premium.

Bexhill were slightly slower out of the blocks than in their previous two games. They struggled with their first touch and to get any kind of pattern to their play as Midhurst closed them down quickly.