The Metropolitan Police got off to a great start against a Worthing side still chasing an automatic promotion place.

On 14 minutes a cross into the visitor’s goal area was not cleared. Police striker Phil Ruggles won the ball, then ran away from the goal before swivelling around and driving the ball just inside the far post for the opening goal.

A few minutes later and it should have been two. Police Captain Steve Sutherland got his head to a Michael Cobden cross but just pulled it wide of the post.

Worthing had a couple of chances late in the first half but both shots were cleared on the goal line.

Ben Johnson the Worthing midfielder caused the Police defence more trouble than any other player.

His long cross found striker Chamal Fenelov unmarked in front of the goal but somehow he fluffed his shot and the ball was cleared off the goal line.

Minutes later another one–two movement with the same players which Fenelov this time blasted the ball goal bound from 6 yards out. Police goal keeper Mo Maan managed to push the ball onto the post and out for a corner.

Within 2 minutes of the start of the second half Worthing had pulled off a snatch and grab. Sutherland committed a blatant trip inside his own area.

The spot kick was firmly put away by Ben Johnson for the equaliser.

Worse was to come as 3 minutes later another Worthing attack resulted in striker Ben Williamson having the easiest of chances to drive the ball into the Police goal from just 2 yards out for Worthing’s second.

Try as they might the Police could not get that goal back despite putting the Worthing defence under almost permanent pressure. Ron Edwards finished a good run down the left flank with a long cross into the Worthing area.

Alan Mansfield the Worthing goal keeper missed the ball which fell to Phil Ruggles. His shot from an acute angle went into the side netting.

Into stoppage time and a Vernon Francis cross found Ron Edwards whose volley was just wide. Worthing meanwhile go marching on.