Peacehaven & Telscombe goalkeeper Alieu Secka was sent off in the 59th minute for handling the ball outside of his box to give Peacehaven a very difficult and nail-biting last third of the game.

The visitors had been in control of this top of the table encounter for the first hour taking the lead in the fourth minute when Tyler Capon (pictured) pounced on a poor back pass to round Sam Smith in the Crawley Down goal to take the lead.

They doubled their lead in the 57th minute when Capon won the ball and played Curt Ford in behind. The striker rounded the keeper to finish despite the defender’s best effort to try and put the ball behind.

Up until this point the game had been fairly even, with Peacehaven looking comfortable. Secka was called upon to make one excellent save down to his left to deny Crawley Down in the first half and the home side did look quite dangerous when they attacked.

Marcus Allen and Reilly Grant at the heart of the Haven defence were not overly troubled and were well supported by full backs Jake Le Grange and Bradley Bant.

In fact Peacehaven had a couple of decent chances before half time to put some distance between themselves and the home side, but just couldn’t make them count.

After Secka’s sending off, Ford was withdrawn and Loz Sanded resumed between the sticks and Crawley Down threw everything at Peacehaven.

After Secka’s dismissal, Haven allowed the home side to dominate them and for the most part Peacehaven retreated to the last third and allowed Crawley Down to attack them at will.

With just seven minutes of normal time left to play Crawley Down pulled a goal back with an excellent header from captain Marc Pelling.

Peacehaven dug in and soaked up the pressure, which to a degree they were bringing on themselves by not leaving anyone up front to relieve the pressure when the ball was cleared out of defence.

They did occasionally threaten but for the most part were reluctant to press the opposition who continued to bombard the visitors, who to their credit did stand firm and were delighted to have claimed all three points.

This was good entertaining game of football played by two committed and determined sides.

Final score: Crawley Down Gatwick 1, Peacehaven & Telscombe 2.

Peacehaven & Telscombe: Secka, Le Grange, Bant, Grant, Wiltshire, Allen, Capon, Brocklebank, Lambert, Ford, Marshall (J). Subs: Waller, Lloyd, Sanded, Sisimayi, Marshall (S).

Peacehaven are next in action on Tuesday evening when they are at home to Seaford Town in the Sussex Senior Cup. This one kicks-off at 7.30pm.