Peacehaven win derby game

The result was harsh on Mark Smeaton's side, who pushed their hosts all the way, but not for the first time this season a combination of individual mistakes and poor finishing proved their undoing.

With both teams in urgent need of three points the match got off to a spiky start, with Saltdean's five-man midfield snapping in at the Tye's clever youngsters.

They were clearly unsettled by this approach, and there was considerable relief when the home side took the lead in the tenth minute.

Craig Fullerton's back header was completely misjudged which allowed Dan Murray to round Owen Fisher and score against his old club.

Fisher saved his side from falling into what would surely have been an untenable position shortly afterwards, tipping Mick Brown's drive onto the crossbar.

As the pace of the match dropped Peacehaven started to take control, with their two Smiths stretching the visitors's defence wide and creating chances for Murray and Simon Bailey.

However, the arrival of Fullerton has considerably improved the Tigers's rearguard and they managed to stand firm until half-time.

The pivotal moment of the match came six minutes after the restart. A mix-up between Ashley Jones and Scott Hargie gave Stephen Fielding a clear run at goal, but with a lot to aim at he failed badly and the Tigers's best chance of the match had gone.

Peacehaven from then on had enough chances to have been more comfortable winners, but it took until injury time for their second goal to arrive. With Saltdean chasing an equaliser Clive Snell had time to stride forward from midfield, clear Fisher and wrap up the points for his side.

Peacehaven: Harding, Ansbro, Murray (Stepney 59), Jones, Hargie, Brown, Snell, Bashford, R Smith, G Smith, Bailey.

Saltdean: Fisher, Fleming, Barton, Fullerton, Jordan Cole, Taylor, Ogoe, Justin Cole, Fielding, Saxby (Coyne 86), Den-heijer (Newman 79).