Sidley slip into bottom three

The Blues demonstrated plenty of industry, but often lacked quality and lost out to a stunning strike towards the end of the first half.

"It was a little bit disappointing second half," said manager Liam Barham, "because I thought we could have given it a better go. But generally I couldn't really ask any more of them. We battled well and worked hard. To be fair, I think they didn't really get behind us and I thought we probably had the better of the chances.

"We've not got the confidence in the team at the moment and there's not going to be a lot of quality when you're down there. But we had some good performances and I thought we did enough to get something out of it. Possibly a draw would have been a fair result."

The away side, who retained possession better than their opponents and looked more likely goalscorers, came close to taking an early lead as Paul Richardson had a pair of efforts from corners blocked on the goal-line by Dave Ward and Jordan Wood.

Sidley gradually came into the match, though, and Russell Tanner had to produce a brilliant save from Peter Baker to keep the scoreline blank. The impressive visiting goalkeeper also held a well-struck volley by the same player that was straight down his throat.

But Hailsham ended the half strongly with Nick Barden sending a free kick just too high before Simon Stevens made the breakthrough in the 39th minute with a sublime shot into the top corner from just outside the penalty area.

Liam Baitup shot straight at home goalkeeper Peter Newstead when through and Stevens was fractionally wide with a measured strike as the half drew to a close.

Sidley never really looked like finding an equaliser after flu forced 17-goal top-scorer Baker off early in the second half and their only real chance of the second period came when the ball ran Lewis Hole's way in the Hailsham penalty area only for his low shot to be saved at the near post by Tanner.

Hailsham appeared more likely to add to their tally in the final quarter. Baitup clipped the top of the crossbar from a free kick wide on the left before a scramble ended up in Newstead's hands.

Town should have made the game safe in the 85th minute, but Richardson struck the inside of the post with a penalty awarded after Newstead clattered into Baitup.