Danny Simmonds converted his third penalty in as many games to give Hastings United lift-off after a 1-0 win over Hinckley at the Pilot Field.

The visitors finished with nine men after Eastbourne referee Colin Rolfe sent off Andy Penney and former Albion striker Stuart Storer in the space of two second-half minutes for second bookable offences.

Simmonds kept his cool from the spot in the 25th minute after Nick Hegley had been fouled by Nick Preston and United squandered further chances through Hegley, Steve Yates and substitute Graham Webb.

But Hinckley threatened even with nine men and Dave King made a superb save to deny another former Albion man, Zeke Rowe, with 12 minutes left.

United boss George Wakeling said: "It was a good team performance although when they went down to nine men they were more of a problem to us than when they had 11. We know there are no easy games in this division which wasn't always the case last season."

Yates (thigh) is doubtful for this afternoon's trip to Havant and Waterlooville.

St Leonards go into this afternoon's local derby with Eastbourne Borough at the Firs (3pm) still looking for their first point after they went down 3-2 at Salisbury.

Defensive mistakes proved costly for Glyn White's side who were ahead after 11 minutes when Sean Ray's neat pass set up Peter Baker who finished clinically.

But Salisbury were level midway through the first half when Gary Funnell headed home unmarked. Andy McGlashan made it 2-1 on 55 minutes with a powerful header and Adam Wallace converted a penalty after Saints' keeper Peter Newstead brought him down. It was a miserable day for Newstead who was booked in the build-up to Salisbury's first goal.

Ray headed in a late second for the visitors after Richard Callaway had flicked on a throw in while Terry White and Jimmy Elford squandered good chances to equalise.

White said: "I've not been as disappointed after a match since I took over because we should have got something from the game."