Crawley Down scored three in six minutes as a second half implosion saw the Lions miss out on going top of the table. With James Temple returning to the Lions, Michael Frangou dropped to the bench, in spite of some good recent performances.

Four minutes in and Joe Booker saw action from Pagham as he cleared a threat from Aaron Watson. Out the ball went, only for Sam Caine to strike the rebound well over the bar. A minute later and a booking for Scott Murfin which would have much bearing on the latter stages of the game. Dan Moseby went close for Paghm whilst Joe Ranson had to be at his best to keep out a cross from Scott Murfin. Great work from George Gaskin could have seen Pagham go ahead when his cross was struck narrowly wide from a Dan Moseby shot. Both Joe Booker and Paul Jones were magnificent at the back for Pagham, repelling incoming attacks from the visitors time and time again, as Nick Sullivan especially was looking a threat for the away side. Shane Goldsmith was forced into a superb fingertip save just after the half hour. James Temple’s ball in was headed goalward by Gaskin, only to see Goldsmith just push the ball wide of the upright. Referee Mr Roberts typified a controversial afternoon for the officials when awarding a penalty for Crawley Down’s first goal. Up stepped Tom Lyons, who’s shot roared into the net to take the lead. Pagham fought back and could have equalised from a corner in the dying minutes of the first half.

No subs on either side at the re-start, and Crawley Down went on the attack straight away. Wes Miles saw his header go wide of the upright as the Anvils looked to hammer home their advantage. With five minutes of the second half gone, the decision which perhaps changed the whole game took place. Scott Murfin was shown a second yellow card, and Pagham from then on looked nothing like the side who had been Crawley Down’s equals at least in the first half. Controversy reigned following the sending off, as the free-kick was awarded Pagham’s way, without any Crawley Down player being spoken to. Andy Weir’s clearance from Tom Lyons kept Pagham in the hunt, and near the hour Pagham were oh-so-unlucky not to get an equaliser. Gaskin’s pin-point ball in saw James Temple’s shot ping agonisingly back off the post and across the goal-line. Temple then headed over shortly afterwards as Pagham looked to get back into the game. Their task was made that much harder on 68 minutes as the Anvils went 2-0 up. A mis-timed defensive clearance went straight to Tom Burton and he smacked the ball passed an apoplectic Wes Hallett to double the lead. It was all of four minutes later that Pagham went 3-0 down. A shot through a crowded penalty area saw Sam Caine score. Unbelievably, it was only another couple of minutes before it was 4-0 to Crawley Down. Another penalty decision, this time the goal was scored only after a rebound from Lyons’ original shot. Sam Caine struck home the loose ball to ecstatic cheering from the away fans. With Wes Hallett understandably annoyed, he found himself shown a yellow card for showing that frustration a little too vocally. Substitute Ryan Cox had been on the pitch not two minutes before he also saw yellow as the referee gave himself a busy afternoon. Paul Jones’ long range shot was just the precursor to another great strike from Alex Kew. Taking advantage of a ball in from Neil Murfin, the Pagham youngster struck home his second in two games.

Pagham; W.Hallett, J.Misslebrook, A.Weir, D.Pearce, P.Jones, J.Booker, D.Moseby, G.Gaskin, N.Murfin, J.Temple, S.Murfin; R.Cox, G.Robinson, A.Kew, A.Bryant