Kevin Murphy's return to fitness was crowned by a derby man-of-the-match award on Monday.

Now he admits he just has to stay fit as his Bognor side walk a Senior Cup tightrope. Rocks have just 16 players eligible for their May Bank Holiday cup final with Lewes.

They include the 14 who beat Worthing, plus defender Chris May and goalkeeper John Keeley.

No wonder boss Jack Pearce is so glad to see Murphy back from medial ligament damage.

The 30-year-old centre back said: "I only came back a month and a half ago. I went on loan to Chichester and had a lucky break when David Wright got injured and I got in the side.

"It's just a case of proving myself again and hopefully I have done that and I might be here next season but I won't count my chickens."

A series of sessions with club acupuncturist Heidi Simpson helped Murphy back into the fray.

He said: "I had about 18 sessions and it seemed to do the trick so I was really pleased.

"Next week we have got four games in five days so Jack will probably switch the team around, which he has got to."

The Senior Cup final will be Rocks' eighth game in 13 days. Their Full Members semi has been squeezed in for Wednesday, May 2, when Gravesend visit Nyewood Lane.

Meanwhile, Lewes boss Jimmy Quinn slammed a "scandalous" penalty award as his side drew 1-1 at leaders Arlesey.

Quinn, whose men remain well placed to go up, said: "I would have been happy with a draw before the game but in the end we were disappointed not to win.

"The guy just threw himself to get on the end of a cross he was never going to reach. It was a scandal but it was to be expected."

Rooks have come through a tough week with flying colours and Quinn added: "We have played some good stuff and looked a solid unit. We defended ever so well at Arlesey. Apart from the penalty they never looked like scoring."

The one bit of bad news was an ankle injury for influential Cameron Johnson.

Quinn fears he may miss the rest of the promotion push.