Miles hat-trick cheers Sidley

The former St Leonards, Rye & Iden United and Eastbourne Borough striker plundered his first hat-trick for the Gullivers club to secure a crucial win for Andy Laskey's side.

Miles' treble blast, which takes his tally to 10 for the campaign in all competitions, will also help silence any critics who would have believed him too old for top flight County League football as he approaches his 37th birthday.

Miles is now equal fourth in the list of leading goalscorers in Division One with eight strikes and Laskey is full of admiration for the player he attempted to bring to the club before the start of last season only to be denied by the now defunct St Leonards.

He said: "I don't think he's too old and he's getting fitter all the time. The little bit he's lost in his legs he more than makes up for with the speed of thought in his head. And if perhaps the delivery was better at times he would get more goals because he takes up some good positions. I didn't realise how good he was in the air before he joined us and he's doing a good job for us."

In which case, he will be sorely missed when he's unavailable for a fortnight over Christmas and during the five week suspension he is likely to serve (although Sidley are yet to receive any details) for his sending-off at Eastbourne Town 23 days ago.

But Ian Oliver has thrust himself forward as a possible replacement or even a team-mate whilst Miles remains, by adding the fourth goal to make sure of a result which hauled Sidley out of the relegation zone.

Laskey added: "He looks quite good actually. He's had a run out with the reserves (for whom he netted four times in two games recently) and we've got the option of playing Keith in a deeper role."

Miles worked half a yard of space for the 40th minute opener but Pagham equalised in the first minute of the second period following hesitation on the part of Blues goalkeeper Greg Thurstans.

Miles headed United back in front 12 minutes later and slotted his and Sidley's third with his left foot two minutes from time. Pagham's Lee Stevens was dismissed for a late tackle on Graham Morris when the score was 2-1.