Experience tells in Sussex Cup

Managerless Hastings had to chop and change as they were denied the services of new signings Chris May and Sam Rents because Brighton & Hove Albion did not want them to be cup tied.

Also absent were injured duo Peter Sayer and Richard Bolton, while Scott Price, who only made his full Hastings debut the previous Saturday, was playing for Rye & Iden United.

With so many absentees, it was vital the more experienced players helped the younger ones along against tough Ryman Premier opposition.

Unfortunately, one of the cornerstones of the team, Peter Mortley, had to go off injured after only 10 minutes which meant a reshuffle with Ben Bennett coming on for a rare appearance and David Henham dropping back into defence.

By then Hastings were already one-down following Matt Geard's slick near post finish on seven minutes. The busy Geard was then involved in a scuffle with Sean Ray and the Hastings defender was fortunate to escape with a lecture after appearing to throw a punch.

Mark Knee headed Worthing further in front after 21 minutes when a corner was allowed to travel right across to the far post.

Hastings gave themselves a glimmer of hope just past the half hour through Andy Ducille's third goal in four matches.

The match was pretty even until an unmarked Ronnie Green finished from close range 12 minutes into the second half. Soon after Knee's speculative long range shot went under the dive of Greg Nessling and Ashley Carew netted the goal of the tie by rounding off a flowing move down the right wing.