Agony for Tigers

WITH two minutes left Saltdean were poised to pull off a minor giant killing having outplayed cup holders Arundel, and leading by a first half Brad Dougal strike it was looking good.

WITH two minutes left Saltdean were poised to pull off a minor giant killing having outplayed cup holders Arundel, and leading by a first half Brad Dougal strike it was looking good. But not for the first time the late concession of goals cost the Tigers dear, and the division one side emerged victorious, although I suspect they won't know quite how.

Saltdean should have wrapped the game up in the first half, but the manner of their late capitulation angered manager Paul Hubbard, who is reporting referee Roy Cheshire for his performance during the game.

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'Roy was a good referee in his day but I don't think he should be officiating at this level any more,' said Paul.

'Unfortunately he couldn't keep up with play and he had a very poor game. I've been managing at senior level for 15 years and I've never reported a ref, but I don't feel I've got any choice. He gave a penalty in the 95th minute when it was clear the foul was committed by their player. After the game their lads were saying how poor he was.'

Dean McDonald returned from suspension on Tuesday after missing eight matches, replacing Dan Razari, and John Cooper replaced Ross White.

Barry Pidgeon headed wide from a corner in the third minute, and three minutes later keeper Andy McCarthy dropped the ball at the feet of Cooper, who shot wide. Brad Dougal looked to be through in the 13th minute but was harshly flagged offside. He wasn't to be denied for long however, as two minutes later he curled a free kick from just outside the box past McCarthy.

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As on Saturday the ever improving Baz Allen was in storming form. He had a volley tipped over, and then after a run which saw him go through half the Arundel team, brought an excellent diving save from McCarthy.

On the half hour mark a slip by Scott Reid let in Gary Norgate, but twice the striker was denied by Ashley Walker. This apart Saltdean played well, with the fluency of passing and movement Paul Hubbard has been trying to instil. Indeed, apart from a few minor niggles, this was a really good match.

Walker almost gifted Arundel a goal at the start of the second half when spilling an innocuous shot. Luckily Dan Jordan was on hand to bail him out.

Nick West, Dave Wood and Jason Wimbleton all tried and failed to haul the visitors back into the match - for Saltdean Leigh Davis and Marc Wane didn't do enough to extend Saltdean's single goal advantage.

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Arundel full back Jonathan Sutcliffe was lucky to stay on the pitch when he brought down Allen, and then it all went horribly wrong.

First, in the 88th minute, Robert Greene, arriving late at the back post, headed in to level the score. Less than 60 seconds later Reid brought down Danny McCloughlin, a penalty was given, Miles Scerri scored and it was all over.

SALTDEAN: Walker, Dray, Reid, Jordan, Saxby, Dougal, B Allen, McDonald, Wane, Cooper (Simonsen) Davis. MOM: Dan Jordan.

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