CORINTHIAN-CASUALS 1 WORTHING 2

Casuals put in a heroic effort against their high-flying opponents Worthing, only to be denied a deserved point in the dying moments of a hotly contested game.

It was a cruel blow after some determined play, but still leaves the amateurs comfortably six points clear of the drop zone.

The first half saw Worthing have the majority of the possession, but some dogged defending and some tenacious tackling, notably from Kunle Olusesi reduced Worthing to long-range efforts in the main.

Casuals enjoyed the better chances and Tyrone Myton created an impressive opening on nine minutes, but shot into the arms of Rikki Banks.

On 24 minutes, Oluses robbed a worth defender and charged through, only to see Banks parry his well hit shot.

Worthing's best chance came 11 minutes later as Ollie Rowlands went through in a one on one situation only for Colin Harris to save bravely.

The second half was only three minutes old when Worthing's Danny Davis hit the post.

Casuals grew stronger and looked the more likely to score.

As so often happens, Casuals were made to pay for a moment of slackness as a low cross was driven into the roof of the net by Ben Andrews who pounced close to goal.

Casuals though responded positively and on 80 minutes scored a well earned equaliser when a long free-kick was flicked on to the Leroy Griffiths who headed past the helpless Banks.

The referee Mr Webb, then failed to notice Sonny Cobbs man handling Jamal Carr as he looked poised to break through and waved play on.

Worthing scored the winner through Sam Gargan with five minutes left, when really it should have been a Casuals free-kick that would have changed the course of the game.

Casuals: Colin Harris, Russell Banyard, Dale Hennessey, Scott Hassell, Chris Horwood, Kunle Olusesi, Jamal Carr, Lee Matthews (Kane Sergeant), Simon Mitchell (Luke Gay), Leroy Griffiths, Tyrone Myton. Unused subs: Matt Smith, Greg Andrews, Dan Smith.Worthing: Rikki Banks, Roy Pook, Sonny Cobbs, Stuart Axten, Ben Andrews, Andy Alexander, Dean Lovegrove, Leo Day, Danny Davis, Sam Gargan, Ollie Rowlands SUBS Adam Jupp, Matt Phelan, Karl Akehurst, Ben Johnson.