Crowborough take the spoils against local rivals Ringmer

There was very little to choose between the two sides and the result was in doubt until the final whistle.

Ringmer gave Josh Lawrence, from their Under 18s side, his debut in place of Wayne Laycock, who broke his leg at the weekend playing in a Sunday league cup final. Meanwhile ex-Ringmer favourite Justin Harris was missing from the Crows line-up owing to a suspension.

Ringmer had two early chances to take the lead. A superb run from the back by Phil Elkins enabled him to put Aaron MacMillan one-on-one with Rob Gordon in goal for the Crows but the keeper smothered his shot.

Then Luke Gedling passed to Josh Lawrence wide on the left flank and his powerful strike looked goal-bound before curling just wide of the near post.

In the next 15 minutes it was Crowborough's turn to have the scoring opportunities with Danny Baker, Ross Treleaven, Steve Davis and Craig Bishop all missing the target.

Then, with half-time approaching, Gordon was quick off his line to deny Herve King and again when Clive Snell's chip over the Crows defence presented Gedling with a chance for a shot Gordon closed the striker down to block his shot.

The final action of the half saw Lawrence, who had an impressive debut, almost score a debut goal when his well-struck free'“kick was heading for the top corner of the net before Gordon's flying save pushed it away for a corner.

The opening exchanges of the second half saw Aaron MacMillan and Eddie Koboah for Ringmer and Dave Adams and Treleaven for the visitors all miss chances.

Then while Ringmer's defence were expecting an offside decision the Crow's attack saw Ringmer throwing bodies in the way of a succession of shots before Bishop's shot went in off the post for the opening goal.

Vehement protestations from the Blues saw Glen Matten receive his marching orders but the ten men soon equalised when Gedling's free-kick for the edge of the area found its way past Gordon.

Then following a corner from Miles Scerri, Ryan MacMillan's header at the far post was tantalisingly close to giving the Blues the lead.

At the other end Matt May reacted well to tip a close-range header from Danny Baker over the bar for a corner.

From that corner the ball bounced around a congested penalty area before Bobby Godfrey squeezed the ball through a crowd of players and over the line.

Ringmer fought back in the remaining eight minutes with Gedling having a free-kick saved by Gordon and then a cross from Danny McLaughlin was fumbled by the keeper and when the ball came to Gedling he blazed his effort over the bar.

Then Gordon reacted well to clear with his feet to deny Jack Johnson.

Ringmer: May, Matten, Lawrence, R.MacMillan, P.Elkins, King (Thomsett), Koboah (McLaughlin), Snell, Gedling, A.MacMillan (Scerri), Johnson. Unused Subs: Beeston, Price.

Crowborough: Gordon, Crush, Adams, Rhodes, Boddy, Baker, Godfrey, Munday (Chamberlain), Baker, Davis (Clarke), Treleaven. Unused subs: McPhail.