Hail Hunter - not Hailsham

PAGHAM ground out a 1-0 win over Hailsham in a match in which the referee was more prominent than most would have expected.

First blood could have gone to Hailsham as the pacy Stewart Lewis was clean through on goal with less than a minute gone, but the threat was cleared.

Pagham had a chance cleared off the line but the game's entertainment value ebbed away as free-kicks broke up any flowing football.

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Just after the half-hour, the deadlock was broken. Superb build-up by Pagham ended with a great strike from Ashley Hunter.

Sean Towers' goal-line clearance ended the best opening the visitors created.

The Lions were defending stoutly and Hailsham looked far from sharp.

Hailsham's Paul Stevens was the first of many players booked.

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An apparent double booking hit Pagham just after the hour, with the referee seeming to book Sean Dobbs and Danny Towers. The free-kick saw Paul Stevens shoot straight at Wes Hallett.

With a 15 minutes left, Gary Block replaced Forden and Hunter with Rob Wimble and Jamie Angell.

Pagham could have gone two up when Sean Towers' snap-shot hit the upright. Angell received an inexplicable yellow card and Doug Peach picked up a booking for something and nothing.