Horsham 0 Bognor Regis Town 2: Hornets crash against Rocks as play-off hopes take hit

Greg Cundle has three good opportunities for Horsham in the first half against Bognor. Picture by John Lines

Tommy Leigh's 23rd minute goal put the Rocks ahead but the Hornets had a plethora of chances to take control of the first half.

Harvey Whyte added what proved to be the winner on 54 minutes as Horsham suffered their first home league defeat since November 30.

Defeat for the Hornets means they remain sixth. Dominic Di Paola's side are five points behind Carshalton Athletic in the final play-off spot, albeit with a game in hand.

Victory for Bognor keeps them in eighth but they are now nine points off the play-offs with two games in hand over the Robins.

Horsham bombarded the Rocks back line in an electric start to the first half.

Greg Cundle's close-range shot was blocked by the legs of Bognor goalkeeper Amadou Tangara before Charlie Harris' howitzer shaved the crossbar.

Elliott Buchanan fired over from the edge of the box, and then Cundle had a near-post effort comfortably stopped by Tangara.

Cundle and Buchanan both had further chances but, again, their shots missed the target.

And the Hornets were made to rue these missed chances as the Rocks took the lead against the run of play on 23 minutes.

Leigh hit a driven 30-yard shot that sneaked past Horsham keeper George Bentley and into the bottom corner.

The Hornets looked to hit back immediately. Alex Clark was played in by Steve Metcalf before the winger cut inside but his well-struck shot was snaffled up by Tangara.

Bognor then drew two fantastic saves from young keeper Bentley before half-time.

A lovely move from the Rocks ended with Bentley making an excellent stop with his legs to deny Ashton Leigh.

The teenager was then forced to tip James Crane's superb long-range free-kick over as Bognor ended the half strongly.

Horsham started the second half brightly. Clark blazed over from Cundle's cross before Alex Kelly's teasing ball into the box just evaded a man in a yellow shirt.

But the Rocks doubled their advantage nine minutes after the restart.

A free-kick on the edge of the box crashed against the bar but Whyte was on hand to sweep home the rebound.

The Hornets struggled to forge anything clear cut after the second goal.

With 12 minutes remaining Bognor had a great chance to add a third. Bentley spilt a Rocks shot but substitute Joshua Flint was unable to bury the follow up.

Horsham: Bentley, Metcalf (Mills 60), Sparks, Kelly, Shelley, Miles, Cundle (C Smith 67), Dawson, Buchanan, Harris, Clark (O'Toole 57). Unused: Charman, Merchant.

Bognor Regis Town: Tangara, Crane, Campbell, Flannigan (Dinsmore 46), Cook, Wood, Whyte, T Leigh (Flint 70), D Smith, A Leigh, Lethbridge (Shema 85). Unused: Puemo.

Attendance: 576