LUCKY LATE POINT

SIDLEY will count themselves extremely lucky to have got a point from bottom of Sussex County Division One side Saltdean.

They seemed so sure of a result it looked like they were conserving energy, but complacency is a dangerous thing in football.

Keeper Danny Poole was the only thing standing between Sidley and an embarrassing defeat as the lethargic displays from all the outfield players kept him busy.

Saltdean finally got the break they deserved with Assefi getting a crucial touch in a goalmouth scramble to score in the 65th minute.

Poole stopped the visitors from putting the game out of reach and Sidley were given an undeserved life-line in injury time.

Peter Baker was needlessly brought down in the box late into injury time and he made no mistake from the spot-kick to steal a point for the champions.

Sidley: D. Poole, Copley, Farrier (Sully), B. Poole, Ball, Scott (Funnell), Day, Ward, Watson, Baker, Carey (Heritage).

l UNITED were hit with a double blow this week when captain Wayne Farrier and the influential Paul Sully both sustained injuries that will keep them out of the team for some time.

Farrier could be out for several months with a recurrent knee injury. Sidelined again after picking up a knock against Satldean, it was decided not to risk playing him until after an operation.

Sully had just returned from a knee injury of his own in the Saltdean match, but he hurt it again and could be out for another month.

Not everything has been bad for the club this week however.

Hastings Town player Russell Eldridge is set to complete a move to Gullivers in time for Saturday s game against Pagham in the RUR Charity Cup.