Westies denied by late leveller

But there was a strong sense in the home camp that one point really ought to have been three after the Westies conceded a late equaliser.

It was Westfield’s seventh draw of the Macron Store Sussex County Football League Division Two season - more than any other team.

Westfield manager Jethro Warren said: “It was definitely a game we should’ve won. We created quite a few chances throughout the game and limited them to half chances really. To concede so late and the way we conceded was disappointing, especially as we pretty much controlled the game. It felt like a loss.”

On a pitch which looked pretty good from the sideline, Warren felt his team should have been ahead at the end of a goalless first half.

Westfield defenders Tom Archer and Sam Henham had efforts cleared off the line from Warren corners.

Michael Gould and Dec Hall were just off target at the other end, while Hall also had an angled drive parried by Westfield goalkeeper Connor Holland and put the rebound wide of the near post.

Westfield got their noses in front early in the second half. Curtis Coombes showed good anticipation and quickness to get to the ball just before Saltdean goalkeeper Jamie Evans, and poke home.

Warren had a header from a corner saved by Evans and a couple of half chances came Westfield’s way as they looked fairly comfortable.

As the game wore on, however, nerves began to creep into the home side. Westfield started hitting too many long balls during the last 10 or 15 minutes instead of carrying on playing the football which had got them into a winning position and committed some niggly fouls.

You could sense a Saltdean goal was coming and it duly arrived a few minutes before the end. The away winger went past Jamie Bell, who was on a booking, and delivered a cross which was volleyed home from five yards by Michael Page despite Westfield having plenty of bodies back.

Fourth-bottom Westfield remain six points ahead of third-bottom Saltdean having played two more matches. The first of their five remaining games is at home to fifth-placed Mile Oak this coming Saturday. Kick-off is 2pm.

Westfield: Holland, Paine, Bell, Archer, Henham, Warren, Willett, Cuddington, Dadswell, Coombes, Williams. Subs: Ringwood, Hales, Payne, Stapley, Whiteman.

Standings (played-points): 1 Worthing United 21-45, 2 Wick & Barnham United 19-45, 3 AFC Uckfield Town 21-42, 4 BEXHILL UNITED 23-42, 5 Mile Oak 20-34, 6 LITTLE COMMON 23-33, 7 Midhurst & Easebourne 21-32, 8 Oakwood 16-30, 9 Haywards Heath Town 21-29, 10 Steyning Town 19-26, 11 Rustington 21-26, 12 WESTFIELD 23-25, 13 Saltdean United 21-19, 14 Storrington 23-16, 15 Seaford Town 24-0.