Worthing 1 Leyton Pennant 0.

LEYTON Pennant returned from Worthing pointless as their good recent run came to an end.

A swirling wind, poor refereeing, a crucial injury and a sending off were just four factors that conspired against Pennant and it was never likely to be their day.

The Lilywhites made a bright enough start against the wind and on ten minutes Che Stadhart broke through. He was forced wide by the keeper and blasted his shot wide of the target as a result.

Two minutes later John Lowe hit a 20-yarder but the wind held it up enough for a defender to head it off the line.

Action at the other end was at a premium but Ian Brooks made one excellent save from Pickering whose shot looked goalbound all the way until the Pennant keeper scooped it from under the bar to his left hand side.

In the second half the story was much the same. Billy Read had a shot blocked on the line after five minutes but from then on the tide turned.

Tyrone Hercules was crocked soon after Reads effort, pulling his hamstrings badly, and without their fullback Pennant looked lost.

Worthing continued to lofted the ball up into the wind infested air and it paid off eventually when Pickering received the ball, turned and hooked the ball into the back of the net.

Having scored, the Seasiders shuffled back into defence and snuffed out Pennants attacks.

Lovell was sent off for an innocuous challenge when he seemed more interested in getting away from the player he had apparently fouled and when Paul Salmons late shot was beaten away by the Worthing keeper it was clear that the points had been blown out to sea on the coastal breeze.

Over the Easter period, Pennant are at home to Grays Athletic on Friday. Kick-off is at 2.00pm.

They travel to Romford on Monday for a 3pm kick-off.

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