Chichester just missed out on a spectacular comeback as they lost 4-3 to new Southern Premier leaders Purley Walcountians in a thrilling encounter.

In the last few minutes, Chi threw everything at Purley but just failed to find the killer pass to salvage a point.

With coach Neil Pendle still unavailable, it was left to Rob Pywell and Henry Stremes to control the midfield and they both produced top quality performances.

The pace of the game was quick from the start but it was Purley who converted two early chances to take control of the game.

Chichester had chances from Bryan Lock and Andrew Savory but it was Peter Turner who got them back into the game with a powerful penalty corner flick.

The home side then proceeded to miss three good chances and Purley made them pay with a startling passage of play that resulted in a penalty corner goal and a penalty flick. If goalkeeper Steve Jones had not saved the flick, Chichester would have been buried but he produced a superb reaction save to keep them in the contest.

At 3-1, the game was in the balance and the next goal was crucial. It went to Purley who gave Jones no chance.

It looked for a while as if Chi might fold but the team worked hard to get back in the match. Turner, Stremes and Oli Lane-Smith were instrumental in leading the revival but it was the skill of Lock that opened the Purley defence.

His first run led to a first senior goal for Adam Beer and a second surging run was illegally blocked which allowed Clive Dunn to score from the corner to make it 4-3.

Chi will meet Lewes in the final of the Sussex Under-21 Tournament. They emerged winners from their pool at Burgess Hill last weekend, beating cup holder East Grinstead 1-0 and not conceding a goal in the other games. Lewes didn't lose a game in their pool at Hastings.