Selsey run brought to a halt by Gault

Despite the defeat, manager Ian Martin was pleased with his side’s effort.

He said: “It was very close and we were unlucky to lose. The lads played ever so well and I’mproud of them.

“We pushed them right up until the final whistle and had more chances. Some refereeing decisions went against us as well.

“Their keeper should have been sent off. He went on to make a couple of decent saves and they scored what they would call a good goal, but we could have avoided conceding that.

“Both teams tried to play good football but it was very windy. It’s certainly a good sign we can take on a side that high up the league and be disappointed not to win.” Martin knows the importance of the side getting points on the board to keep up their place in the top half.

Selsey travel to The Oval on Saturday (Feb 12) to play basement side Eastbourne United, who they beat 3-0 at home in August in the league, but who knocked them out out the RUR Charity Cup.

“Their league form isn’t great but the key is not to treat them lightly. Complacency is your number-one enemy here,” Martin said. “We have to play to the high standard we’ve set.”

A return to winning form could see them hit a season high of eighth place in the table, but they’ll be without central midfielder Max Thoms, who is out with a back problem. Martin said deputy Dan Hegarty, a promising midfielder, had already filled the hole Thoms had left.

MARK ALLAWAY