Fixture backlog takes toll on drained Sidley

The injury-hit Blues were running just about on empty as they slid to defeat in their sixth Division One match in 13 days on Wednesday night.

Joint manager Andy Laskey said: "It's getting silly now. This is the third week in a row where we've had three games in five days and it's just catching up with them."

Keith Miles and Josh Brown were added to the list of absentees for their penultimate home game which was staged at Wealden FC due to Gullivers now being in the hands of Sidley CC.

Owen Ball and Nick Whiteman did return from injury, but Sidley were behind inside a dozen minutes when Phil Churchill converted a penalty conceded by Peter Newstead.

The United goalkeeper atoned for that miscalculation by producing a trio of top class saves to keep his side within touching distance.

And it could have been better for United because Dale Vinall struck the crossbar from 30 yards, while Steve Morris and Scott McDonald had efforts well saved in the first half.

After the break, Mark Funnell had a couple of chances, Darren Witham had one and Morris shot wide when he might have squared for McDonald.

Newstead repelled a penalty from Sonny Banks at the other end before their first defeat in three meetings with ninth-placed EP this season was confirmed by Dan White's 82nd minute clincher.

Sidley: Newstead, Whiteman (Saunders), Ball, Henham (L. Miles), L. Wood, Parsons, S. Morris, Funnell, McDonald, Witham, Vinall. Sub not used: Lusted.