Smash and grab for Burgess Hill Town as late goals see off Phoenix

It looked as if the visitors were going to pick up a much-needed three points in their battle to see off relegation but Stefan Vukoje two minutes before the end and then Nathan Cooper in injury time saw the Hillians steal the points, which was harsh on Sports.

The win leaves thr Hillians well placed in third in the Isthmian south east division and on course for a home play-off semi-final

Bosses Gary Mansell and Jay Lovett made two changes from the starting XI that beat Herne Bay the week before as Reggie Ward came in for Bobby Price and Ben Pope for the injured Jay Beckford.

It was a slow start from the Hillians in the opening 20 minutes with the visitors looking right up for it. Ben Pope had Hill’s first effort with a shot on 22 minutes which didn’t trouble Sports.

On 28 minutes Sports took the lead as the Hillians didn’t clear a ball and it eventually rattled around and found Cameron Andrews, on his debut, who thumped one into the bottom corner from distance with a great finish.

Hillians got a big let off as Sports should have been 2-0 up as Jerson Dos Santos went through one on one but he hit his effort straight at Slav Huk in the Hillians goal.

Hill’s best chances came from corners. First Cooper headed one back across goal but it was cleared by Sports and on the stroke of half time Chris Whelpdale saw his header palmed away by former Hillians stopper Sam Freeman.

The second half carried on in much the same vein. Phoenix threatened twice with Ahkeem Belford firing a cross from Tyler Anderson over and then a cross to the back post was met with a strong header from Will Efambe, but a flying Huk made a terrific save.

On 62 minus the Hill had a good chance as a corner came to Whelpdale whose overhead kick flew on to the roof of the net. Soon after Marcus Allen headed straight at the GK from a cross.

Hill made a few changes with Brannon O’Neill, Vukoje and Price entering the action and it livened up the Hillians. O’Neill had a shot well blocked before the ball was scambled clear by the visitors.

With two minutes remaining the Hillians got themselves on level terms as O’Neill laid a ball off to Vukoje, who thumped it into the bottom corner.

The Hillians looked like they had got out of jail to get a point out of the match – but then the Leylands Park outfit went and won it.

Martyn Box’s deep cross was met brilliantly by Cooper who volleyed the ball home to send the home fans wild and break Phoenix’s hearts.

It was a real smash and grab win for the Hillians and goalscorer Cooper, who clearly likes a goal against Phoenix after scoring twice against them earlier in the season, was named Brickworks Player of the Match by match sponsors LRG Group.

Up next for the Hillians are two away games. On Wednesday they’re off to East Grinstead and on Saturday they go to AFC Croydon Athletic. They return to Leylands Park on Saturday, April 12, against Deal Town.

Hill: Slav Huk, Reggie Ward, Hamish Morrison, Ryan Worrall, Nathan Cooper, Marcus Allen (Logan Dobbs 92), Joe Overy (Bobby Price 74), Kieran Rowe, Ben Pope (Stefan Vukoje 62), Chris Whelpdale (Brannon O’Neill 62), Martyn Box. Not used: Harry Lawson.