Battling draw not really good enough

Although this would normally be considered a good result, The Blues really needed to win at Leylands Park on Tuesday night to begin eating into a massive 19-point lead.

For 40 minutes a victory looked possible as Sidley led through a superb Russell Eldridge goal.

The wing-back scored in emphatic fashion midway through the first half after being set up by a marvellous cross-field ball from Peter Baker.

A strong wind had been blowing down the length of the pitch from kick-off but at the turnaround it really gathered momentum and for much of the second half Sidley were camped in and around their own penalty box.

Burgess Hill made the breakthrough after an hour when Ashley Carr pounced to shoot home.

Other than the goals, both teams hit the woodwork with Baker striking the crossbar with a 40-yard lob.

Joint manager Peter Heritage said: "It was a fair result. They probably shaded it through chances and the quality of play but we applied ourselves quite well.

"They were happier than us with the point because we went there to win," he went on. "But we do have a mountain to climb and we have just got to keep going."