Michael Birmingham's ferocious 20-yard free-kick ensured Bognor and Worthing will meet again in division one next season.

But fans of the derby rivals will hope they produce better fare than they conjured up in yesterday's error-strewn affair.

Birmingham's 19th-minute rocket, which flashed into Lee Bray's top corner, was his fourth goal against Worthing this season and the undisputed highlight of the afternoon.

But home boss Jack Pearce was happy enough to reflect on his best's defensive performance of the season. Pearce was surely being overly pessimistic when he insisted his side were still one win short of his survival target.

But he was spot on when he added: "The most important thing was getting three points. That's the best we have done defensively, reducing them to hardly any chances. I thought we played some good football for 20 minutes and the goal was a wonderous strike, but then we lost our way a little bit in the last third."

In fact, they only once tested Bray, who got a faint but important touch to divert David Birmingham's angled effort just past the post in the second half.

Home keeper Craig Stoner was even less busy, though he missed Simon Funnell's inswinging corner on 68 minutes and was happy to see Jodey Rowland scuff the ball off the line.

Rowland was one of the better players on view, along with defensive sidekick Kevin Murphy and Worthing fullback Danny Smith, who kept David Birmingham quiet.

Murphy took the champagne as man-of-the-match and should have proposed a toast to club acupuncturist Hedi Simpson, who helped him make a quick return from medial ligament damage.

The 30-year old defender said: "Worthing play the long ball and I'm quite comfortable with that. It was probably one of the easier games we have had against them defensively."

Bognor's Matt Russell never looked like hitting his 30th goal of the season, though it was Stuart Tuck's challenge on him which led to the decisive free-kick.

Rebels boss Sammy Donnelly was unhappy with that decision and spared a thought for the 568 paying spectators. He said: "I thought you saw two tired teams. It was a poor derby for the supporters."

Bognor: Stoner, M. Rutherford, Rowland, Wright, Murphy, D. Birmingham, Russell (sub Wyatt 81), M. Birmingham, Scammell (sub Miles 82), Howell, G. Rutherford. Unused sub: Pickering.

Worthing: Bray, Smith, Mintram (sub Winter 82), Burt, Beech, Tuck, Kennett (sub Brackley 82), Webber, Weston, Funnell, Carrington. Unused sub: Cox.

Referee: C. Row.