Johnson proud of Blues

Manager Steve Johnson said: 'I'm delighted and proud of my players but we're certainly doing this the hard way.

'We were drawn away in the first game to Whitehawk, who are second-placed in the league, and now we must go to Crowborough, who are top. Whitehawk might have had a few youngsters playing last night, but so did we, and they have plenty of quality to pick from.

'The Whitehawk first-teamers who didn't play on Tuesday were there cheering them on and there was lots of banter, but it was all good fun, and their manager Ian Chapman's a decent enough guy.

'We played for much of the game with only ten men after Herve King's sending off '“ it was a straight red for a remark to the referee when the game was getting a bit out of hand '“ so it was a great win.

'People don't seem to realise we've lost only once in nine games now and we're playing some decent football. The Caburn is a happy ship at present.

'We should have been two or three up at half-time and we did miss some decent chances.

'We showed out spirit in the penalty shootout. Paul Elkins missed the first, but Paul Thomsett, Ryan MacMillan and Glen Matten scored theirs and Matt May made a fantastic save from their third effort.

'The pitch held up well in the frost. It was a bit crusty towards the end but was still playable.

'I'm still trying to sign Wayne Laycock from Littlehampton and have Matt Beeston and Glen Matten away for tomorrow's visit from Chichester City.'