Midhurst misery at Mile Oak - Selsey slip out

That was not for the fact they conceded a goal in the 94th minute but because of a contentious penalty decision against them on the stroke of half-time when Lewis Hamilton was adjudged by the linesman to have handled the ball in the box.

It appeared that everyone in attendance, including the referee, thought it a case of ball to hand, not hand to ball, but the linesman was adamant and, after consultation between the two officials, a penalty was awarded and scored by Joe Benn.

It did not take Midhurst long in the second half to equalise when Scott Dormer drilled a shot across the goalkeeper and into the far corner on 47 minutes, following an assist from Hamilton.

Mile Oak had started the game well and showed why they are second in the table with some incisive forward play. They had the ball in the net early on, but this was disallowed for offside.

Midhurst also looked dangerous going forward with Ben Kemplen and Joel Stevens, playing his first game this season, combining well, resulting in decent chances for Gary Norgate and Dan Watts.

The second half was end to end with both sides having chances to win it, Mile Oak when a header was put wide from a free-kick and they were slow to take advantage of a stranded Paddy Cowell, deputising for the injured Aaron Jeal in goal. Cowell, also playing his first game of the season, did well and his best save, at full stretch, turned the ball around the post for a corner.

Midhurst could have won it, with the best chances falling to Hamilton and George Morris. Then came disaster for Midhurst.

Paul Grantham, who had an excellent game, allowed the ball to run out of play for what he thought was going to be a goal kick but turned out to be a corner.

From the corner, four minutes into time added on, Enzo Benn headed home Mile Oak’s winner.

Midhurst host Southwick this Saturday.

Midhurst: Cowell, Casselton, Hyde, Morris, Grantham, Watts, Dormer, Norgate, Hamilton, Kemplen, Stevens (Brazier 74). Unused sub: Shadbolt.

Selsey slipped out of the Sussex Senior Cup with a 5-0 defeat at Little Common. They were five down by the 46th minute but improved and conceded no further goals.

The Blues are at home to Ringmer on Saturday.

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