Hillians are on course for a County Cup hat-trick after an extraordinary finale to this battle in the Culver Road rain last night.

The County Leaguers did not manage a decent shot for 103 minutes, but ended the night celebrating after Worthing old boy Tony Holden broke the deadlock.

Guy Hutchings and Roy Pook rounded things off for the Hillians and, although Dave Cameron's penalty gave Rebels some hope, they were left regretting missed opportunities as well as a red card for defender Guy Rutherford and three potentially costly injuries.

Hillians' boss Gary Croydon had heaped praise on his opponents before kick-off and, if it was part of a tactical master plan, it worked a treat.

His side defended in-depth throughout, with Sean Edwards and goalkeeper Richard Waters outstanding, then pounced in devastating fashion when the Ryman Leaguers ran out of ideas.

Croydon said: "The whole side were magnificent. It's a feather in our caps to beat a side as good as Worthing and we outfoxed them.

"It was a horrible night but the fans who weathered it for 120 minutes were well rewarded because we scored three special goals."

The contest could have been all over well before then, but Neil Francis hit the bar from point-blank range and Waters produced three superb second-half saves from Adie Miles.

There were a host of other near misses by Rebels, who were well prompted in attack by Cameron and Lee Weston, but the chances dried up in extra time.

Lee Bray had already made two good stops by the time he was beaten on 108 minutes, Holden latching on to a loose ball, turning sharply and drilling home from 18 yards.

Holden then teed up Hutchings for what looked like a clincher, and Rutherford's subsequent argument with the referee's assistant saw him dismissed.

Cameron replied with a penalty when Miles was thwarted by a handball but Pook completed the night in style as he outpaced Matthew May and chipped over Bray.

May, normally reserve team goalkeeper, was in midfield after three Worthing players went off injured.

Hillians have already won the RUR Cup and tackle Saltdean in the John O'Hara on Friday. What chance their making it three out of three?