FOOTBALL: County League round-up (May 6)

The title would have been United's if they had won by two clear goals, but the draw meant that Rye, who United beat 4-1 on Saturday to secure promotion, were crowned champions.

One can only assume that Saturday's fantastic result against the leaders had sapped a lot of energy from United as they never looked like getting the result they required, and were lucky to come away with a point.

United manager Jason Rutherford said: "I was disappointed with today's performance, but if you'd have offered me second place back in August I'd have taken it. I think Saturday's game took a lot out of us, so today's performance wasn't a huge surprise."

The game started badly for the home side as Kieran Gillard broke down the left and scuffed in a cross, that should have been cleared by Grant Philpott, but Barney Boutwood slotted past the advancing Ross Standen in the United goal after just four minutes.

Neil Harris should have levelled the scores just two minutes later but his shot from five yards sailed harmlessly over the bar.

It was not the only chance that United's front line squandered, as Adam Mitchell headed wide and Paul Elliott was left on his own when any support would have meant a certain goal.

United's main worry would have been conceding a second as that would have meant third place on goal difference, and once again they should have made parity when substitute Sam Blundell was put through after a hesitant Ben Crawford allowed the ball to bounce immediately after the restart but Crawford managed to get a toe in to prevent a certain goal.

Blundell had a chance to make amends on 79 minutes but was thwarted by Craig Stoner's legs.

Littlehampton nearly broke United hearts when Niall O'Hagan's shot hit the post then rebounded off Standen for a corner, while Gillard had a shot that went through Standen's hands only to hit the bar.

In the final minute a long, hopeful ball found its way to Elliott, who volleyed past Stoner to level the scores and frankly it was more than United deserved.

United had sealed promotion into Division 1 with the win over Rye on Saturday.

A Harris header put them 1-0 ahead in the eighth minute, before Mitchell doubled their advantage seven minutes later.

Julian Curnow made it 3-0 from the penalty spot just before half-time. Mitchell got his second on 66 minutes, before Rye pulled a late goal back through Dominic Clarke.

Rutherford said: "Getting promoted is great. The team have surpassed our expectations, there's not one player here from last season. I wasn't sure how the team would gel but we've done well.

"It was a great performance and, hopefully, we'll finish mid-table next season. We told the players to keep it tight so to start like we did was unbelievable.

"I'll be gutted if the ground grading prevents us going up, but we've done our jobs on the field and have to see what happens."

UNITED v Littlehampton: Standen; P.Proto, Philpott, Curnow; Harris, J.Elliott, Hayward, Hunt, Mitchell; P.Elliott, Green. Subs: Blundell (Mitchell 46), Joseph (Hayward 70), Annis (Green 89), Bean, Corkhill.

v Rye: Standen; P.Proto, Curnow, Philpott; Hunt, Hayward, Harris, J.Elliot, Green; Mitchell, P.Elliot. Subs: Annis (Mitchell 80), Corkhill, Joseph.

Lancing finished their season in County League Division 2 with a 2-1 victory over Rustington on Monday and although they improved on last year, Lancers boss Martin Gander is already looking forward to next season.

He said: "We've got to improve again, as I really do feel we have a good enough squad to be challenging.

"If we can keep the players here, add a few more and improve in certain areas, we will be there or there abouts. Darren Boswell and Lee Garnham have both been superb this season and we can build on things."

Boswell opened the scoring with a well-worked, solo goal on Monday. He took on a couple of players and worked an opening and hit home inside the near post on the half-hour mark.

Rustington equalised after Lancers gave the ball away. James Bennett picked it up and hit a shot into the top corner giving Martyn Rea, who was filling in in goal, no chance.

It was a tight game throughout and Lancers' chance to pinch it came with 10 minutes to go. Garnham supplied Darren Beard, whose shot was saved by Andy McCarthy in the Rustington goal, but Dan Griffin pounced to turn home the winner.

The result saw Lancing finish 10th in the table and Gander admitted it has been a mixed season, but ultimately one where they had conceded far too many goals to mount any sort of challenge.

Gander said:"It was pretty much an end-of-season affair which wasn't played with as much gusto as you'd expect.

"I think we just about deserved the points and at 2-1 we were comfortable.

"If you look at our goals-against column, that explains it. We have conceded 82 goals in 34 games which is far too many, to be honest. Finishing where we have with that amount of goals let in is quite good."

LANCING: Rea; Tuppin, Gander, Ford, Mighall; Beard, Boswell, Early, Griffin; Garnham, Loversidge. Subs: Clayton (Boswell 45), Barton (Gander 72), Skipper, Dube

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