Bugiel's brace helps ten-man Worthing sink Harlow Town

In a fiery affair, Worthing took the lead three times on the day and played out the final 11 minutes with ten-men but went onto secure a third successive win.

Harlow also found themsleves a man down as Fabian Simms was shown a second yellow for a late challenge on Bugiel with four minutes left, with the home side holding on for a vital victory in an intriguing five-goal battle.

The victory was a third from three matches so far this campaign and sees Worthing remain top.

Harlow included former Portsmouth, Reading, Ipswich Town and Stoke City defender Ibrahima Sonko at centre-back from the start.

Town should have taken the lead inside a minute, Kieron Bishop stood a cross up for Joe Benjamin but his goal bound strike was deflected behind off Will Hendon.

Worthing began to work themselves into the clash with Kane Wills going close on a couple of occasions. First, he got on the end of Reis Stanislaus’ acrobatic pass but blazed over from the edge on 11 minutes.

Wills was once again involved four minutes later, Matt Axell’s cutback corner found found the midfield man but his chipped effort went just wide.

Worthing were continuing to boss proceedings as Stanislaus went close on 18 minutes.

Bugiel’s ball was poked through for Stanislaus, though, he pulled his strike wide of the far post.

Worthing did take the lead a minute before the interval, neat work from Zack Newton saw him find Bugiel and he rifled a 20-yard strike into the top corner.

Harlow did not have to wait long to get themselves back in it as they levelled less than a minute after the restart with Lewis Perkins left unmarked on the edge and his drive beat Rikki Banks.

A sweeping move then saw Rebels take the lead for a second time on 65 minutes.

Billy Jones’ misplaced pass found Bugiel, he then finds Stanislaus who broke clear before teeing up Harvey Sparks for an easy tap-in.

With Worthing looking in control, Harlow were handed a way back in with 12 minutes left.

A looped ball was handled on the line by skipper Steven Metcalf as he saw red and a spot-kick was awarded.

Mario Noto made no mistake from the spot as Harlow levelled things up for a second time.

Remarkably, Worthing took the lead for a third time with seven minutes left.

It was that man Bugiel again whose rampaging run saw him race clear before firing through Hughes’ legs to make it 3-2.

Both sides were then down to ten as a late challenge from Fabian Simms on Bugiel saw him shown a second yellow on 86 minutes.

Despite seeing Simms sent-off, Harlow pushed for a late leveller but Worthing held on for all three points.

WORTHING: Banks; Hendon, Elphick, Metcalf, Rents; Axell, Wills; Newton, Bugiel, Sparks; Stanislaus. Subs: O’Neill (Stanislaus), Piper (Newton), Edwards, Fagan.