COX: "WE'LL BE UP THERE"

IT CERTAINLY wasn't Lancing's lucky day. Three strikes against the woodwork and many other good chances brought no reward for a hard working performance on Saturday.

Goals from Lewis Hamilton and Chris Heighes sealed the victory for high-flying Midhurst and Lancing were left to rue a stack of missed opportunities.

A disappointed Lancers boss Mark Cox could not believe how his side took nothing from a game in which they dominated for long periods.

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"We got mugged today! With a little bit more fortune in front of goal we could have taken all three points. I can't quite work out how we didn't even get one.

"But I firmly believe we can turn things around and I'll be disappointed if we're not in the promotion shake up in the New Year."

After a cagey start Lancing created two chances to take the lead. Firstly, Ashley Bailey saw his header well tipped over the bar, then nodded over when well placed. These early missed chances were to prove costly. Three minutes later, Midhurst took the lead. Hamilton took advantage of some hesitant Lancing defending to nip in and plant a flicked header over new Portuguese signing Rui Bicho in goal.

Two minutes before half-time Lancers should have been level. Left-back Mark Dixon floated a teasing cross into the box, only to see on rushing midfielder Ian Costello head agonisingly wide.

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The second half brought some of Lancing's best football of the season. Early pressure produced a wonder strike from Mark Henry who was so unlucky to see his half-volley hit the base of the post. Just as a Lancing equaliser looked inevitable, Midhurst stole a second on the break with a smash and grab raid.

Another defensive mix up allowed Chris Heighes to round keeper Bicho and slot home to deflate the hosts. Troubleseome Robbie Pearce, Midhurst's player-manager, nearly added a third 10 minutes later when his 30-yard screamer was acrobatically tipped round the post by Bicho.

To their credit, Lancing searched hard for a way back into the game. Brett Court's header slipped just wide before Henry produced another testing drive, only to see his effort once again take another layer of paint off the woodwork.

LANCING: Bicho; Mtambara, Bailey, Court, Dixon; Costello, McDonald, Martin, Rhodie; Henry, Lester. Subs: Thompson (Mtambara 63), Neasor, Peters. Att: 67.

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A SCRAPPY County League game at Mile Oak last Wednes-day ended with Lancing defeated 2-1 after finding a quick equaliser in the first half.

LANCING: Reid; Mtambara, Wright, Riley, Bailey; Willis, Martin, McDonald, Rhodie; Lester, Burton. Subs: Hawkins (Wright 29), Henry (Willis HT), Bicho gk, Dixon, O'Regan. Att: 112. Scorers: Scott Carden (Oak, 28), John Rhodie (Lg, 32), Mark Curram (Oak, 71).

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