Briggs brace sinks Crows

ARUNDEL 3

CROWBOROUGH ATHLETIC 2

Sussex County 1

FOR the second game running, Crowborough let their lead slip to two late goals, this time to basement boys Arundel.

Manager Dave Adams made three changes to the starting line-up, bringing in Ross Bromley, Kevin Everest and Charlie Ottway. There was bad news for the Crows after three minutes when midfielder Jake Forward came off with a hamstring injury.

On 10 minutes, the Crows had a lucky escape when Gary Norgate got past Everest in the area after being pulled back by the Crows defender. However, in a one-on-one with Head in the Crowborough goal, his shot was excellently saved.

On 20 minutes, the referee's generosity to the Crows soon evaporated when he pointed to the spot after an Arundel shot came off a post and hit Trotter's hand without the Crowborough defender knowing much about it.

Norgate stepped up and hit a low shot heading for the corner, but Head read the kick well and just managed to get his fingertips to the ball.

The match was now opening up and the Crows gaffer, Dave Adams, had a glorious chance to put Crowborough ahead, but blasted his shot over the crossbar.

Lewis Hamilton began creating problems for Crowborough down the left-hand side and he was to be the provider for the opening goal. Boddy's deflected clearance went straight into the path of Hamilton, who raced to the byline.

He delivered a tantalising low cross into the area, resulting in a goalmouth scramble that ended with Russell Hardwick putting the home side ahead on the half-hour. The Crows dominated the rest of the half with Adams again going close before Nathan Millroy equalised in the 43rd minute with a cool, side-footed finish from a tight angle after Arundel keeper Fernandes had saved from Ottway.

The momentum was now with the Crows and on the stroke of half-time, Everest headed home from a disputed Millroy corner.

Arundel came out for the second period firing on all cylinders and soon put Crowborough on the back foot. As the half went on, the Crows defended deeper and deeper with an equaliser looking inevitable.

On 70 minutes, the home team found the net from another controversial penalty decision after there had looked to be minimal contact between Trotter and striker Norgate on the edge of the area. Josh Briggs converted.

Crows were spurred into life, and Ottway went close before the game was decided by what looked another harsh penalty decision; this time Jack Turner was deemed to have handled the ball.

Briggs was grateful to take the opportunity and sent Head the wrong way to give Arundel the points that lifted them off the bottom of the table.

Crowborough lost 5-2 at Sidley on Tuesday evening.