Little Common went down 3-1 to SCFL Premier title hopefuls Hassocks on Tuesday evening, despite producing another encouraging performance against a side expected to be challenging towards the top of the table.

Common defended resolutely throughout the opening 45 minutes and restricted the visitors to few clear-cut opportunities. The closest Hassocks came to breaking the deadlock was from a free-kick which Common goalkeeper Fletcher Chapman did well to turn around the post.

At the other end, Sam Ellis threatened for the hosts when his effort fizzed narrowly over the crossbar as the sides went into the interval goalless.

Hassocks made the breakthrough ten minutes into the second half when a corner was chested towards goal before being touched home from close range.

Little Common in action earlier this season | Steve Mills

placeholder image — Little Common in action earlier this season | Steve Mills

The visitors doubled their advantage on the hour following a neat attacking move. Chapman was rounded before the ball was played across the box and emphatically fired home.

The second goal sparked Common into life and they quickly gave themselves a lifeline when Ollie MacDonald fired home to reduce the deficit to 2–1.

Common then came agonisingly close to drawing level when Joe Clifford's effort beat the goalkeeper but cannoned back off the crossbar. Moments later, another dangerous ball flashed across the Hassocks penalty area but narrowly evaded Ellis.

Having threatened to complete the comeback, Common were eventually caught by a late third as Hassocks sealed the points with a header from a corner with four minutes remaining.

Common boss Russell Eldridge said: “I thought there were a lot of positives to take from the game. Hassocks are a very good side who I expect to be challenging towards the top of the table, but for long periods we competed really well with them.

"We defended very well in the first half and limited them to very few opportunities. It was disappointing to concede from two set-pieces because I don’t think there was a great deal between the sides in open play.

"At 2–0 down we showed a really good reaction. Ollie’s goal got us back into the game and Joe was very unlucky with the effort that hit the bar. If that goes in to make it 2–2, then it could have been a very different finish.

"We’ve had a difficult run of fixtures, but the performances are improving and there are encouraging signs. We need to keep working hard and start turning those performances into points.

"We’re back at home on Saturday against Horsham YM with a 2pm kick-off. It’s another tough game, but we’ll be looking to build on the positives from Tuesday night and hopefully get a positive result in front of our own supporters.”