Blues pegged back by Swans' late fight-back

In a match where Steve Kirkham netted a first-half hat-trick for Blues, it was the visitors who had a late couple of chances to grab all three points in a game that was the only match in County League Division 2 to go ahead.

Storrington netted two goals in the final ten minutes to grab a share of the spoils as Blues looked to be cruising to back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Rustington started the first half positively and went ahead in the sixth minute when Steve Kirkham scored from the penalty spot.

Storrington almost responded immediately as Adam Bardouleau put through Joe Howard, who saw his effort come back off a post.

Blues doubled their lead on 12 minutes when Storrington failed to cut out Liam Waller’s pass and Kirkham tapped home his second.

Swans pulled a goal back on 19 minutes when Richard Ayres put through Marcus Robertshaw, who slotted the ball past Rustington keeper Jimmy Punter.

Four minutes later, Storrington were level. A Bardouleau long ball forward beat two defenders and found Robertshaw, who chipped a well-weighted ball across the face of the goal, which gave Richard Ayres an easy header to level the game.

Storrington then gave away another penalty as James Bennett was brought down and Kirkham completed his hat-trick, which gave Blues the lead going into half-time.

The second half did not begin as explosively as the first but Rustington went 4-2 ahead on 58 minutes when Kirkham’s cross was turned home by Tiago Futada.

On 80 minutes, there was a wonder goal from Swans substitute Harry Jarrett, who beat two defenders with ease and slotted the ball into the back of the net.

Storrington were soon level as Rustington failed to clear and substitute John Rhodie poked the ball home, despite Rustington appealing for offside.

Swans then had two chances to win the game in the last two minutes. Robertshaw blazed over on 89 minutes, before Will Garrett shot wide a minute later.

Blues boss Trevor Waller said: “We dominated the game for 85 minutes but, in the end, we could have lost it as they missed a couple of good chances at the end.

“To be 2-0 up and then 4-2 up, you’d expect to go on and win it. There were a few crucial moments that we were on the wrong end of, although it looks after we got two penalties that we were getting the decisions.

“There was one before half-time when Steve Kirkham was brought down again, but the referee did not give it and, if he had, he would have had to send their lad off as he was the last man.

“It’s disappointing as three points were looking certain with a few minutes left but, then again, in the end we could have lost it.”