Clymping were leading 1-0 at the break but when the teams came out to resume for the second half, they were told one of the assistants could not continue. Clymping offered their committee member, Gavin Weller, as a replacement but United rejected the appointment over fears of his neutrality.

Clymping player-manager Dominic Di Paola said: "It was their get out of jail card. The replacement lino, Gavin, was perfectly neutral and although he's one of our committee members, he's a good linesman and an ex-Ryman League referee.

"I'm disappointed with them and I felt they made a meal of it. The referee consulted both sets of management, we were fine with it, but they said he would be biased.

"They didn't fancy their chances, so thought the best option was to replay it. It was a complete farce and spoiled what would have been a good game. The good news is that the original linesman was fine but they've messed up."

United joint manager Jason Rutherford said: "It was ridiculous, a farce really. We weren't happy with the choice of replacement, but the referee never even asked us what we wanted to do.

"We wanted to play on but you just can't have someone from Clymping running the line. The referee just assumed we wanted the game abandoned, which was ridiculous and everyone was confused. If a spectator had offered, I wouldn't have had a problem."

Paul Young had headed Clymping ahead on 15 minutes.

There has been no official decision from the Sussex County League yet but it is likely the game will be replayed.

The league's assistant secretary Paul Beard said: "We've had a report through from Clymping and the referee but we are awaiting for a response from Worthing United.

"We understand that the linesman was taken ill at half-time and an agreement couldn't be made on a replacement.

"League rules state clubs must make an agreement on a replacement to take over. At the moment, it is subject to an investigation and the committee will then make a decision."

CLYMPING: Oakley; C.Moss, SDi.Paola, Young, Stokes; Rayner, Castro, Shelley, Ghent; Meehan, R.Moss. Subs: Gaskin, Raynsford, D.Di Paola.

In Division 1, Arundel gained revenge for their Sussex RUR Cup exit at the hands of Lingfield with a 3-1 win.

Russell Hardwell had a shot saved before Mullets' Scott Tipper converted a penalty on 12 minutes after Grant Duff handled.

Tipper volleyed home the second just before half-time from Hardwell's cross.

Matt Huckett then struck the bar before Mullets made sure of the win 20 minutes from time when Tom Pickford's wind assisted free kick deceived Lingfield keeper Adam Woodward and dropped in.

An unfortunate Dave Walker own goal in stoppage time gave Lingfield a consolation.

Arundel assistant manager Simon Butler said: "The players are really gelling as a group, and having Scott Tipper back is like having a new signing. Our league position is disappointing, we should have 10 or 12 points more than we've actually got but players like Phil Archibald and Russell Hardwell are making a real difference for us."

ARUNDEL: O'Connor; Sneller, Pickford, Walker, Carragher; Hardwell, Archibald, Grove, Axell; Tipper, Huckett. Subs: Hall (Sneller 60), Biggs, Wimbleton (Grove, Huckett 65), Griffiths.

An 85th-minute Steyning Town equaliser denied Rustington victory in Division 2 on Saturday and the game finished 2-2.

Pat Rose had put Steyning ahead in the 55th minute, but Rustington responded and equalised through Andy Boxall, who knocked home a Brett Neal cross.

Neal himself made it 2-1 on 75 minutes after Jim Smith hit the bar but Greg Hearne levelled for Steyning late on.

Blues joint boss Kev Short said: "The attitude has changed since Terry Withers and I came in. The players seem to believe in themselves a lot more.

"We've got key players coming back. Andy Boxall returning is a boost and Andy Smart will give us something extra. It was frustrating that we couldn't kill the game off but things are improving."

RUSTINGTON: Clark; Neal, Tomlinson, Smith, Green; Gibbs, Butt, Hudson, Bennett; C.Kirkham, S.Kirkham. Subs: Boxall (S.Kirkham 60), C.Matthews (Gibbs 70), Smart (Butt 80), Challen, Withers.

Littlehampton keeper Craig Stoner was outstanding in his side's 2-1 win over Little Common in the Division 2 Cup on Saturday.

At 1-1, Stoner saved a Lewis Hole penalty and, when Golds were 2-1 ahead, he made a brilliant save from a free kick by Russell Eldridge, who is dual-signed with Hastings.

Idriz Adedoja gave Littlehampton a fourth-minute lead with a 25-yarder which flew into the top corner but Common levelled on 10 minutes when Eldridge netted.

Stoner then saved the penalty on 20 minutes before Golds got a spot-kick of their own on 36 minutes, which Matt Russell converted for his ninth goal of the season.

In the second half, Golds' Barney Bout-wood was sent-off for foul and abusive language with 15 minutes left but Golds held on.

Littlehampton joint boss John Suter said: "We worked hard and it was a good workmanlike performance. It was Craig's best game for us, and all the back four did well."

LITTLEHAMPTON: Stoner; Sayers, McKay, O'Hagan, Young; Charman, Russell, Manning, Peacock; Adedoja, Boutwood. Subs: Wallers (Adedoja 45), Tavor (Wallers 80).

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