Co-chairman Rob McAlees, desperate to fulfil the fixture (Tuesday, September 2), called up Reserves manager Mick Duffell, who could rustle up only 10 of his team - who then turned out at Selsey and lost the club's Division 1 match 8-0.

Curtis said he had quit in the face of continuing criticism, and rumours during the day that he was to be replaced that night after four successive defeats. This 8-0 disaster became United's fifth loss in a row after drawing their opening two matches of the new season.

Curtis goes, along with assistant Andy Preddy, and ahead of United's FA Vase tie on Saturday at home to Crawley Down, which carries an £800 winners' cheque.

See Herald for story and quotes.

United arrived at Selsey without any equipment, and late. The Selsey manager who got lucky, Danny Hinshelwood, did not inform his players of the news but by half-time, the 5-0 scoreline spoke of things not as expected. The score could have been double that by then. The strength of the wind made defending crosses difficult and resulted in several goals.

Hinshelwood explained afterwards: "I was disappointed with the overall technical performance from the lads but you can only beat what's in front of you.

"We screamed at them during half-time to pass the ball and do everything simply instead of taking too many touches. Our finishing was very poor for this standard and the second half became a training match.

"But a win's a win and, in all fairness, the boys kept going as they have done so far this season. It was good to see them arguing with each other so I know it does mean something to them when mistakes are made. Any manager would have taken 8-0 before the game and it's put us right up there in the mix."

Tom Ridley scored the first of his four goals after only two minutes and Sean Dobbs made it 2-0 after nine. Greg Robinson (24min), Ridley with a penalty for a foul (44), and Rob Brown (45), took the margin to five. Little else happened until Ridley got two more (79, 89), with a Scott Hinshelwood goal in between (85).

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