Bexhill move into top two

Penalty box action from Bexhill United's 3-3 draw away to Storrington yesterday. Picture courtesy Mark Killy

The Pirates extended their unbeaten run to six Macron Store Sussex County Football League Division Two matches with a point in their first away league game for two months.

Looking to bounce back from their midweek Parafix Sussex Senior Challenge Cup second round defeat at local rivals Little Common, Jamie Morgan went close for Bexhill after 10 minutes.

Third-bottom Storrington who broke the deadlock on 33 minutes with a goal from Richard Ayres, but Bexhill levelled in rather unusual fashion 11 minutes later.

A ball which deflected off the Storrington goalkeeper onto the crossbar was deemed by the officials to have crossed the line and a goal was awarded to Bexhill despite the protests of the Storrington players.

Into the second half and George Aston went close for Bexhill with an excellent free kick before Storrington retook the lead in the 58th minute via a penalty scored by Joe Warner.

Bexhill brought on Toby Clifford for Kevin Barden and the substitute delivered the 64th minute free kick which was headed home by Morgan to make it 2-2.

Following a great save from Yankuba Camara to deny Storrington a third goal, Clifford scored on 77 minutes to put Bexhill ahead for the first time. Bexhill were unable to press home their advantage, however, as John Rhodie equalised from an 86th minute corner.

The game ended in further goal-line controversy. This time a Storrington shot hit the crossbar and bounced downwards, but the officials ruled the ball hadn’t crossed the line.

Bexhill: Camara, Ammoun, Munday, G. Aston, Elliott-Noye, J. Aston, Garman, Cumming-Bart, Barden (Clifford), Atkin, Morgan (McMinigal). Sub not used: Ottley.