Painter labels Heath defeat as season-worst showing

In-form Heath went into the game in mid-table, having collected 12 points in their last six games and scoring 19 goals, whereas Lancing had just four points and had conceded 18 goals.

Painter said: “I was disappointed with our performance, you will always get one or two players below par but it’s rare to have so many players performing so badly.

“It was our worse performance of the season but full credit to Lancing who defended well in numbers and scored two very good goals, albeit the first was miles offside.”

Heath started brightly with Ollie Moore forcing the Lancing keeper Callum Fidler into a finger-tip save to push his goalbound effort wide of the post. Tiago Andrade saw his overhead scissor-kick go just over the Lancing bar.

Midway through the half and against the run of play it was Lancing who took the lead, a through ball was played to Alex Fair, who looked a couple of yards offside, but while Heath appealed, the Lancing player ran through and finished well to beat Michael Chester.

Early in the second period, Moore hit a first-time effort wide from a Mark Bevan cross and Lancing’s Mike Williamson was denied by Chester; but despite having the majority of possession, Heath just couldn’t break down Lancing.

With 10 minutes remaining, Painter went three at the back and pushed Dan Attwater up front, but Lancing defence remained solid and in injury time, a swift counter- attack allowed Williamson a free run at goal and the midfielder finished in style.