Selsey and Chichester fought out a 1-1 draw at the High Street Ground on Tuesday, with the hosts battling back to equalise after having a man sent off.
The first-half was notable mainly for a series of bookings.
City opened the scoring on 36 minutes, Dan Potter delivering a wickedly curling ball that bounced in off the post.
It got worse for Selsey ten minutes after the break when Sean Towers received a second caution for firing the ball at an opponent.
From then on, Selsey showed great character and determination, justifiably claiming an equaliser on 72 minutes when defender Mark Lee scored through a crowded goalmouth.
New Blues boss Richard Towers was pleased with a point after the opening-day loss at Uckfield. “We’ve not had the best of pre-seasons and managed to play only a couple of friendlies,” he said.
“Against Chichester we were lethargic and sluggish – we were too slow. But after the sending-off we adapted well to the numerical disadvantage, playing four men across the middle and Rob Wimble as a lone striker. He came close to winning it.”
City joint boss Neil Sherlock said: “We hadn’t experienced playing against ten men before. We’ve got a very young team who are still learning. The things we’re good at, we do very well, and the things we’re bad at still need a lot of work. It’s important to make that transition – but we’re definitely improving.”
SELSEY: Joyce, Britton, Bingham, D Towers, M Lee, M Hinshelwood, Giambelardini, S Towers, Wimble, Ridley, Wood. Subs: Newman, Haggar, Colville.
CHICHESTER: Hastad, Prior, Northeast, Heath, D Smith, Bradshaw, Blatchford, Cotton, Potter, Dormer. T Smith. Subs: Fraser, Forry.
On Saturday, Chichester were beaten 5-2 against a strong Redhill side. A pea-roller goal from Tom Smith stunned the hosts on 18 minutes before ex-QPR forward Leroy Griffiths levelled on 33.
Redhill went into overdrive with goals from Griffiths, Gavin Gordon and John Westcott. Smith pulled one back before Tyrone Pink netted Redhill’s fifth.
CHICHESTER: Dormer, Prior, Northeast, Hagan, Boniface, Bradshaw, Blatchford, T Smith, Forry, Potter, Cotton. Subs: Groom, Stevens, Heath.
CHESTER BROWTON
* Both Selsey and Chichester hit the FA Cup trail on Saturday. Chichester host Crowborough and Selsey visit Lancing, both in the extra preliminary round.
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