Rye miss out on return to top

The Quarterboys were held to a 2-2 draw at home to AFC Uckfield when victory in an entertaining contest would have taken them above Division One pacesetters Pagham on goal difference.

Former Rye player Chris Gould put Uckfield ahead in the 19th minute with a disputed penalty after home goalkeeper Josh Pelling was adjudged to have brought down Jack Divall as he sought to round him.

Rye eventually got back on level terms when Shaun Loft met a set-piece with a good header and fellow central defender Phil Rhodes tapped home from close range.

The home side then turned the game on its head when Scott Ramsay, pictured, headed his 14th of the season after Liam Upton did superbly out wide only for Andy McDowell to round-off a well-worked move for Uckfield’s equaliser.

There was controversy right at the end as Duncan McArthur went through and seemed to be brought down as he rounded Goldsmith only for the referee to book him for diving with the goal at his mercy.

Rye (4-5-1): Pelling; Woodley, Rhodes, Loft (Rose), Richardson; Tate (Smith), McArthur, Adams, Upton, McMinigal (Kelly); Ramsay. Subs not used: Winchester, Gall.

A full report and reaction will appear in tomorrow’s Rye Observer.