Defeat leaves United bottom

The U’s lost 1-0 away to Bognor Regis Town this afternoon (Saturday) to drop below a Carshalton Athletic side which thumped Margate 4-0. Two teams will go down and United have nine games to save themselves.

It was United’s second defeat in four days against mid-table Bognor having gone down 2-1 in a Parafix Sussex Senior Cup semi-final against the same opponents at Lancing on Wednesday night.

Dan Thompson was once again the architect of United’s downfall. Having netted both Bognor goals in midweek, the big centre-forward headed the only goal today from a 68th minute corner.

On a dry and hard surface, Bognor had a great chance to open the scoring early on but Terry Dodd couldn’t get enough on his header to beat Daniel East. Zac Attwood hobbled off with what looked like an ankle injury in the first 10 minutes and was replaced by Bailo Camara.

There was little goalmouth incident during the remainder of the first half, although Alassane N’Diaye turned and shot just wide before Freddie Warren miscued a shot from eight yards on the stroke of half time.

East saved an Ollie Pearce header and then kept out a James Crane effort before Thompson struck midway through the second half. East saved well from Thompson shortly afterwards as Bognor looked well on top.

United did have a couple of chances to salvage a point in the last 10 minutes or so. Sean Ray went close with a back post header from Jack Dixon’s corner, while Judge then missed a great chance after Ray headed another Dixon corner back across goal.

Of the other sides fighting relegation, Thurrock picked up their second away win in less than 48 hours with a 1-0 victory over Cray Wanderers, Lewes drew 2-2 at Hendon and Wingate & Finchley lost 3-0 away to Leiston.

United: East, Cox, Murphy, Warren, Ray, Judge, Ellis, Adams, Williams, Attwood, N’Diaye. Subs: Carey, Dixon, Crellin, Richardson, Camara.

Ryman Premier bottom seven (played-points): Harrow Borough 35-37, Cray Wanderers 36-37, Thurrock 34-35, Wingate & Finchley 38-35, Lewes 37-33, Carshalton Athletic 38-31, HASTINGS UNITED 33-29.

TODAY’S OTHER SENIOR RESULTS:

Sussex County League, Division 1: RYE UNITED 1 Pagham 1; SIDLEY UNITED 4 Hassocks 1.

Division 2: Littlehampton Town 4 LITTLE COMMON 0; Loxwood 1 WESTFIELD 2; Mile Oak 3 BEXHILL UNITED 1.