Relieved Bognor boss sees his side finally claw their way to Ryman League division one safety

Jack Pearce enjoyed his own celebratory kickabout last night as Bognor secured safety and ended Worthing's promotion dream.

A late strike by top scorer Neil Scammell sent the visiting fans wild and broke Worthing's recent domination in these derby jousts.

But it was a good 45 minutes after the dust had settled that Rocks supremo Pearce finally let his hair down after a season of struggle.

The middle-aged manager/chairman looked like a man with a burden removed from his shoulders as he loosened his tie and ventured into that far goalmouth for a lighthearted skills session with Louis Hider, Rocks' eight-year-old mascot.

Pearce admitted: "We've had a dreadful season but I told the players they couldn't wish for a better opportunity to give our supporters something to cheer.

"It was a tremendous team effort but I thought Michael Birmingham was absolutely outstanding. It's not often you see someone run a game from right back like he did."

Both managers agreed Bognor would be nowhere near the trap door if they played like this every week. Indeed yesterday's evidence suggested neither side is bad enough to go down or equipped for promotion.

Nonetheless it has been a rewarding season for Rebels and there could be a cash windfall if striker David Cameron impresses in a Capital League run out for Rushden & Diamonds Reserves against Aldershot tomorrow.

Rushden boss Brian Talbot watched the first 70 minutes yesterday and confirmed Cameron was the reason for his visit.

Asked if anyone else on view took his fancy, he offered a blunt "No," which was hardly surprising given the mediocre fare served up in the second period.

But the first period was enjoyable and there was plenty to admire in the way David Wright rifled a 20-yard half volley past Lee Bray on 31 minutes after John Pomroy's initial header had come back off the bar.

Birmingham was already pulling the strings by then and twice went close to scoring.

But Rebels replied right on half-time through Simon Funnell, his third goal against Bognor this season.

Having already seen a volley sharply held low down by John Keeley, Funnell tried his luck with a 25 yard free-kick and found the far bottom corner to drag his side level.

Boss Sammy Donnelly felt his side were slightly fortunate to change ends on terms but said: "I'm proud of my players. We were the only team making the running in the second half."

They did not, however, force Keeley into a save as Jay Pickering and Alec Masson offered their stand-in goalkeeper superb protection.Instead, it was the introduction of tricky Lee Stevens to the Bognor attack which proved decisive.

Stevens played the full 90 minutes for Pagham against Selsey in the morning but he found enough energy to turn inside and angle in a low cross for Scammell to divert home and spark the celebrations.

The scorer admitted: "It was a relief more than anything. You could see that from the scenes afterwards.

"It has been a terrible season but I thought we could have had the points sewn up by half-time today. Hopefully this win keeps us up."

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