Sidley advance into quarter-finals

But the Blues were thanking their lucky stars after ex-Westfield player Kevin Rose got away with a seemingly blatant handball immediately prior to Jimmy Watson's super opening strike.

Rose, who had already been booked for a first half lunge on Mark Drinkwater, punched clear a 61st minute Westfield free kick and, as the home side stood and protested, Watson produced a quicksilver burst to dribble half the length of the field before slotting past Peter Newstead.

"I didn't see it in the slightest," said United joint manager Andy Laskey. "Rosey said that someone pushed him but it was one helluva finish. That was Jimmy at his best really."

But Westfield manager Steve Johnson was in no doubt. "It was pretty clear it was a penalty," he said. "I don't think there were very many people who didn't see him punch it."

Sidley may have been fortunate in that instance but the other big decision in this third round tie went Westfield's way.

Andy Moore, who got away without even as much as a talking to, may well have been sent-off by some referees for an eye-cringing two-footed stamp that Laskey described as "the worst tackle in the game". To add insult to the sizeable cut on Jordan Wood's leg, Watson was actually booked for a far less serious late nibble at Moore seconds later.

Watson was one of five players, some more deservedly than others, cautioned during an opening 45 minutes where two of Sussex football's most welcoming and hospitable clubs transmitted precious little of that friendliness onto the pitch.

There was little goalmouth action either but Chas Lister was desperately unlucky not to put Sidley ahead with a cracking shot which flashed against the inside of Westfield's post.

Lewis Hole scored Sidley's 83rd minute second after Rose, fuelled by his Hand of God style escape, supplied the cut-back. Perhaps more satisfyingly for United, a resolute defensive performance earned them only their second clean sheet - and Greg Thurstans' first - in 26 games this season.

"I was pleased with the result," Laskey continued. "No-one is going to worry about how we play, the performance doesn't really matter in cup games. I thought it was quite evenly matched but we dug in well and ground it out." The Blues visit East Grinstead Town in the last eight.