Broadbridge Heath's poor run of results continued when they went down 0-2 at home to Deal Town in the Isthmian League South East division.

Heath gave a season debut to striker Charlie Pitcher recently signed from Hassocks and they welcomed the return of skipper Byron Napper from suspension but The Bears were without their influential midfield dynamo Louis Evans who picked up an injury in last week Three Bridges match and there was still no sign of Matt Hay or Sean Terry both still out through injury.

The first half was a pretty even affair with the visitor’s main threat coming from long throw-ins launched into the Heath penalty area but neither goalkeeper was forced to make a save and it remained 0-0 at the break.

Heath started the second half well and on 56 minutes Luke Staight advanced on goal and struck a left foot shot from distance that the Deal Town goalkeeper James Tomkin did well to save and midway through the half Tomkin was off his line quickly to deny Pitcher a debut goal.

But it was the visitor’s who took the lead on 74 minutes when a move down the right flank saw the ball played high and long towards the far post where it was inadvertently turned in to his own net by Heath defender Luke Staight running back and attempting to head the ball wide of the post to safety.

Just 2 minutes later it was game over when a Deal attack down the right saw the ball played into the Heath danger area and was punched clear by goalkeeper Alfie Hadfield but only as far as Jack Paxman who controlled the ball and picked his spot with a right foot shot from 16 yards through a crowded goalmouth to double his teams lead.

Heath rallied in the final minutes, Mason Doughty firing a right foot shot just wide of the post, Paxman making another fine save low to his right to deny Ollie Rawlins, Byron Napper's long range effort crashing against the crossbar, Elliott Romains low right foot shot saved on the goalline by Tomkin and Emmanuel Abudiore’s left foot shot deflected inches wide of the post but it was the visitors who held on and left with all 3 points to move into the top half of the division.

A disappointing result for The Bears who have again been punished for their mistakes. Next up see Broadbridge Heath play host Enterprise National League South division leaders Worthing in the Sussex Transport Senior Cup on Tuesday 13th January at The BodyMould Community Stadium.

Team: Hadfield, Staight (Wooster 75), Gibson, Napper, Hyde, Marino, Bejashvili (Doughty 70), Connell (Abudiore 75), Pitcher (Rawlins 75), Romain, Young.