Sidley safe after last gasp win

Their prospects looked bleak when they sat second-from-bottom and four points adrift of safety after a run of one point from five games.

But a remarkable defensive improvement has seen The Blues collect four wins from their last five outings, conceding just one goal in the process. In their previous 32 league matches, they shipped 74 goals.

"The defence has been the key to the improvement," said manager Andy Laskey. "They know what they're doing now and that's come about since Liam (assistant manager Liam Barham) came here (last month). He's definitely made a difference, particularly in the dressing room, because the players respect him. The other thing that Liam's brought is a bit more professionalism."

This was another example of how Sidley have eased their way out of trouble as their tireless pressing game restricted their opponents to a single shot on target, while they sought to turn Arundel around with the early ball forward.

It may not have been pretty, but it was most certainly effective and Sidley were probably good value for Steve Morris' stunning acrobatic volleyed winner in the 89th minute.

Barham commented: "We don't really want to play the way we've been playing. I would rather get a side that can keep the ball and play nice attacking football, but needs must and it's got us out of the problems we were in."