COX IS NOT CROWING

Cox said this week: "We've still an outside chance. I just know that on our day, if we play well, we're OK. We didn't want a confident side like Crowborough to get us onto the back foot and sometimes you need to be ugly and patient. They're a good side.

"So we played five across midfield to stop them getting in crosses and had just James Hannah up front. He worked his socks off and was absolutely fantastic. We had to drag him off after 80 minutes. Every player did everything we asked of him.

"Do I sound chuffed? That's because I am."

Portuguese keeper Rui Bicho was Lancing's initial hero with two one-on-one saves at 0-0. That set back the Crows' threat and Lancers went 3-0 up.

After 37 minutes, Wesley Lopez burst clear on the left and with John Rhodie on the end of the cross, a defender turned the ball into his own net.

Some Lancing one-touch stuff in the 65th minute scattered crows. From Keith Mtambara's pass, Graham Martin went round the keeper and when forced wide, instead of still trying to score, unselfishly angled the ball back. Hannah reacted quickest and it was 2-0.

Then Lopez added the champagne touch in the 81st minute with a wonderful right-foot finish after dribbling in and across the defence.

Fatigue from the effort allowed James Body a Crows' consolation goal a minute from time.

Lancers now go to Wealden and recveive Westfield. Lopez faces a two-game ban for acumulated bookings.

LANCING: Bicho; Mtambara, Reilly, Bailey, Ettridge; Dixon, Macdonald, Rhodie, Martin, Lopez; Hannah. Subs: Thompson (Reilly 76, Lester (Hannah 81), Lipscombe (Dixon 90). Att: 58.