Tipper at the double in Arundel’s win

Mullets were in control from the outset, with Shoreham looking a forlorn side, and it was Arundel who carved out the first chance on 20 minutes, when Matt Axell latched onto Rory Biggs’ cross but volleyed narrowly wide.

Mussels’ Grant Philpott’s free kick was then pushed away by Ben O’Connor in a tight first half, and Shoreham again went close when Gareth Green crossed for Owen Callaghan, who looked certain to score with just O’Connor to beat from four yards, but he typified Mussels;’ luck and their season, by scooping over from four yards.

Howard Neighbour’s 25-yard drive was pushed away by Mussels debutant keeper Jason Ellison, but the opener was not long in coming. With the encounter drifting towards a scoreless interval, Arundel broke down Shoreham’s left flank, and Lewis Hamilton and Biggs combined to play in the league’s top-scorer Tipper, who prodded home from close range.

With Mussels still reeling from that setback, they were dealt another blow when one of their brightest assets, from an otherwise woeful season, Charlie Walker, was forced off at half-time through what looked like a nasty knee injury.

To compound their woes, they found themselves 2-0 down within minutes of the restart. Hamilton was brought down by the back-tracking Grant Bean, and Tipper stepped up to smash home the resultant spot-kick on 49 minutes, taking his tally to 37 for the season

Hamilton then tested Ellison’s reflexes twice in quick succession, with the goalkeeper winning the duel on both occasions.

Neighbour shot wide and Josh Biggs went close with a header before Mullets eased further ahead 16 minutes from time.

Biggs’ corner picked out Lloyd Walker, who saw his header saved, but Dave Walker was on hand to bundle in via the post.

Mullets substitute Russell Hardwell was unlucky not to add a fourth, and in a rare Mussels raid, Lee Eastman fired narrowly wide.

There were no further chances, though, and Mullets comfortably saw out the rest of the game to send Shoreham tumbling towards the drop.

Arundel manager Simon Butler said: “We played very well, our ball retention was excellent, and we could have had more. Our midfield three did well and we stopped them playing.

“They’re scrapping for their lives but looked haunted and consigned to their fate. I was pleased as we struggle coming here, but with the quality we’ve got it was comfortable and we looked decent.”

Mussels first team coach Barry Smith said: “We put the effort in, and never gave up, which is pleasing, but our confidence is rock bottom and we don’t do enough with the ball when we had it. We need to keep going and keep believing, but it’s not a good situation for us and we looked fragile.”

ARUNDEL: O’Connor; A.Biggs, D.Walker, Hall, L.Walker; R.Biggs, Axell, Hamilton; J.Biggs, Tipper, Neighbour. Subs: Hardwell (R.Biggs 83), Grove (Neighbour 90), Rance, Griffiths.