FOOTBALL: Rebels held by Merstham

Merstham got their equaliser with what looked a soft penalty decision and Rebels boss Simon Colbran was furious afterwards: "This season we haven't had one break. Decisions have gone against us, luck's gone against us and we've had injuries.

"No one knows what the penalty was for. I don't think anyone has a clue.

"Everything just seems to be going against us.

"With four league games to go, I hope our luck changes but after 38 games without any, I just don't know.

"On the playing side, though, we should have killed the game off with the chances we had."

Worthing had several half chances before they went ahead on 25 minutes when Ben Williamson coolly lobbed home.

Merstham levelled on 37 minutes when Ben Johnson was adjudged to have pushed David Smith and Dale Marvell stroked home the spot-kick.

Worthing felt they should have had a penalty of their own moments later when Stuart Axten felt he was held back but referee Mike O'Keefe awarded a free kick to Merstham and booked Axten for his protests.

Rebels also had another two penalty appeals turned down in the second half when Williamson appeared to be held back by Craig Vernon, and then went down under a challenge.

Merstham Ross White had a great chance on 71 minutes but his one-on-one effort was saved by Alan Mansfield before Worthing had two excellent chances to win it in the final 12 minutes.

Firstly, Axten's shot from six yards was brilliantly tipped behind for a corner by Chatfield before Paul Kennett's volley in injury-time was well-saved by Merstham's keeper.

Rebels are at Whitstable on Tuesday. Jamie Groves, who was an unused substitute against Merstham, should be fit after a calf injury but fellow defender, recent signing Ryan Adams has been ruled out for the season with his knee injury.

WORTHING: Mansfield; Denton, Axten, Woodburn, Johnson; Woodford, Kennett, Patton, Brotherton; Archibald, Williamson. Subs: Fenelon (Archibald 66), Pitt (Brotherton 76), Akehurst, Groves, Mike James (youth team player). Att: 265.

To read our live and interactive coverage of the game click here.

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