Pagham succumbed to two very late goals as they went out of the FA Cup at a rain-swept Beaconsfield. With the 1-1 draw fresh in the memory, Gary Block’s team were looking to kick-start their season. Within the first 20 minutes Pagham had gone close twice, with Michael Frangou and then Brett Forden testing Tanner in the Stringers’ goal.Hailsham fought back with Cooper and Simons Stevens both giving Wes Hallett work to do. A succession of Pagham corners failed to get a goal, and the teams went in with the score nil-nil.

Hailsham shot out of the blocks at the start of the second half, with Cooper again the main threat, without that final killer touch. Ashley Jarvis was proving a real handful for the Lions’ defene, and his shot just before the hour did little to calm a strangely nervy Pagham side. Sean Dobbs and Billy Chatfield were performing well in defence, but such was the dominance of the home team, the Pagham defence probably had most to do. Free-kicks began to litter the play, and it looked increasingly likely that a feast of extra time would be called for, to be followed by afters of penalties. Hailsham did continue to push forward, but neither Cooper nor Jarvis could find a way passed Hallett. Then a blow was struck against Paghan. Marcus Whiteman, on as a sub for Hailsham, jinked his way through Pagham’s defence to slot the ball passed Hallett. With only six or so minutes on the clock, it looked as if the Lions would roar no more in the cup this year. Then a penalty was awarded a minute later as Tim Lester was turned by his opponent in the area. Referee Mr Beadle had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Although Hallett got finger-tips to the first shot, the rebound was slammed into the net to put the home side 2-0 up. There was just time for Calum Britton to hit the Hailsham woodwork before the whistle went on yet another dispiriting night for Pagham.