Worthing cannot lift their gloom against Hendon

Rebels lost 2-1 at home to Hendon - who have climbed out of the relegaton zone since Christmas - but stay two points clear of Walton who also lost 2-0 at home to East Thurrock United.

Next Saturday, to close their league season, Worthing will go to Ashford Town (Middlesex) and Walton to Ramsgate.

Sussex Senior Cup finalists Worthing did not score against Hendon until five minutes into injury-time, when Ben Andrews, back after injury and who had come off the bench half an hour earlier, beat keeper Richard Wilmot with a left-footed 18-yarder. In the 13 minutes up to that, Andrews had fired over the bar, Jamie Lawrence had a free kick charged down, and Mark Knee had shot just wide.

Rebels were not short of goal attempts in the match but it was Hendon who found the net twice in the opening 34 minutes. During that time, Knee had tested Wilmot and Jamie Brotherton gone close. Then as Worthing chased the game, Omari Coleman was twice too high and a genuine chance was not taken by Brotherton from a Joe Keehan cross.

Wilmot saved that, then, in the first 10 minutes after half-time, dealt with an effort by Coleman and a Jamie Lawrence header from a Knee free kick. Later Tom Lawley sent an effort over the bar.

Hendon were two up before Worthing keeper Rikki Banks had made a serious save. Daragh Duffy ran on unchallenged, the defence had seemed to be expecting him to pass, and gave them the lead in the 10th minute. Then in the 34th, the outstanding Takumi Ake's 25-yard free kick from the left went into Worthing's net at the far post.

A minute later, Banks saved well from Duffy from 15 yards and in the second half, the young keeper prevented Wayne O'Sullivan and Duffy increasing Hendon's advantage.

WORTHING: Banks; J.Keehan, Axten, Alexander, Simpson; Lawley, Lawrence, Day, Knee; Brotherton, Coleman. Subs: Andrews (Coleman 65), Lutwyche, Hunter gk, Winch, Rogers. Att: 347.

Click here for full Ryman League Premier results and table.

Get the Herald for Bob Bond's carton on this game and more news about Worthing's intentions for next season.