Bexhill bounce back to form

The result went some way to making up for the previous week's defeat, by the same score, at the hands of title-favourites Storrington.

"It needed to be done," said manager Bill Trivett of a result which took his side back to the top of the table, although Storrington are only two points behind with four games in hand. More importantly, they now lead second place rivals Lingfield by seven points having played two additional fixtures.

"Anything less than a win was going to be a problem and they handled the pressure really, really well. They just played their normal game, got control of it early on and played some good football. We didn't focus on any areas in particular after the Storrington game, but the attitude was absolutely spot on. We're back on track now."

And they're back on track in no small measure due to a golden 18 minute spell either side of half time, which ensured the welcome relief of a comfortable final half an hour.

The first was doubtless crucial as it arrived in the final minute of the opening period. Debutant Joe Cornwall, whom Trivett said "did everything that was asked of him", and Wes Tate supplied the approach play and Mark Funnell provided the finish.

They wasted little time in doubling that cushion because Ian Rise, who troubled the away defence with his pace on his first front side appearance of the season as a substitute for back injury victim Dave Carey, got to a 49th minute ball that didn't look to be his just ahead of the opposing goalkeeper.

Alex Hesmer made the most of his first start for some time by scoring what Trivett described as United's "goal of the season" with a first time left-footed strike from all of 40 yards to make it 3-0 after 56 minutes.

Forest pulled one back three minutes later when a long range free kick went through Bexhill's wall, but Tate settled the issue just two minutes after that.

Bexhill entertain Lingfield at the Polegrove on Saturday March 5, kick-off 3pm.