Pagham stopped in tracks by Redhill

With John Price’s side eyeing second spot in the table, the visitors almost took the lead in the second minute. Only a linesman’s flag robbed Craig Mullan of the opening goal.

Redhill kept pressing, with Mullan and Gregson both in on goal. Gregson was guilty of an awful miss following a piercing run into the area.

Lee Bradshaw had to be at his best to clear the lines for the Lions, while Bonner was forced wide for the visitors, with James Binfield making a timely save from the shot. Again Redhill could have scored, this time Sousa falling foul of the linesman’s vigilance.

Scott Murfin’s contribution to the game ended on 18 minutes, an injury forcing the prolific striker from the pitch. On came James Temple.

Neil Murfin was proving an asset on the wing for Pagham, Redhill’s defence finding him difficult to deal with.

The half-hour bought controversy as, to the sound of a baying Redhill fanbase, Pagham’s Howard Neighbour escaped with a talking to following a robust challenge on Sousa.

Gregson again failed in front of goal on 35minutes as James Binfield parried the ball for a corner.

Temple’s cross looked dangerous, but it was too strong for any other Pagham player. Joe Briggs was allowed time and space, only to see his shot sail over Redhill’s bar.

Pagham had the first scoring chance after the break but Neighbour’s strike was forced out for a corner.

The first booking of the game went to Neighbour, referee Matt Lee showing yellow for a tackle on John Difford.

Ten minutes into the second half Redhill scored the goal their attacking play had promised. Joe Bingham collected the ball, swivelled on the spot and struck a fine shot past Binfield.

This seemed to give the Lions their roar back as they set about Duffey’s goal, but they were unable to find the net.

Redhill, sensing another goal, took the game to the Lions again, with Bingham shooting over.

Temple went through for the Lions, only for Difford to curtail the opportunity.

Sousa’s run on 80 minutes ended with possibly the worst miss of the game. Three successive Pagham corners in the last five minutes couldn’t find a goal.

PAGHAM: Binfield; Buckland, Cox, Pearce, Booker, Bradsahw, Briggs, Thoms, Neighbour, S Murfin (Temple 18), N Murfin. Subs: Geoghegan, Hallett, Atkinson

JON ROSE