Nine-man Arundel crash at Hailsham

Mullets have now had seven players red-carded in their 16 matches this season after keeper Ben O’Connor and his replacement in goal, defender Barry McCoy, both saw red.

Midfielder Rob Grove and defender Dave Walker both missed the game through suspension and Mullets assistant manager Simon Butler said: “All the red cards are a concern. We’re not happy about it and we’ve got to do something about it.”

O’Connor was dismissed for a foul on Shane Saunders, at 2-0, when the Hailsham player was through on goal and McCoy was red-carded for foul and abusive language after alleged violent conduct towards Gary Norgate went unpunished.

Butler added: “We couldn’t believe Ben was sent off as we didn’t even think it was a foul. Barry’s was more frustration with a decision but we just need to keep our mouths shut and not get involved.”

Midfielder Lewis Hamilton finished the game in goal but Butler refused to let the dismissals hide what he called a “lacklustre and below-par performance”.

Sam Schaaf fired Hailsham ahead on 13 minutes and after Howard Neighbour and Scott Tipper went close to an equaliser, Saunders made it 2-0 two minutes before half-time.

Steven Earley made it 3-0 from the penalty spot after O’Connor was sent-off and Schaaf then made it 4-0 before McCoy was sent-off

Mullets host Redhill, now managed by former Arundel boss Steve Johnson, in the John O’Hara Cup on Saturday and travel to East Grinstead in the RUR Cup on Tuesday.

ARUNDEL: O’Connor; L.Walker, McCoy, Gardner, Hall; Hamilton, J.Biggs, Axell, Neighbour, Norgate; Tipper. Subs: Turney (L.Walker 44), Wimble (Hall 54), R.Biggs.