Bognor suffered their first defeat in four division one matches last night.

The winning goal came on 50 minutes when Stuart Massey's deep cross from the left was headed home by the unmarked Bobby George.

The lacklustre visitors failed to create a decent chance in the second half, and when they did get near goal, Neil Scammell's header failed to test home keeper Matt Martin. Martin did react well to keep out a first-half long shot from Lee Stevens, who was also denied by the vigilance of 'Leafe defender Nigel Golley early on.

There was a definite differing of styles between the two sides, Whyeleafe's route one approach in contrast to the Rocks' neat passing game. Bognor manager Jack Pearce said: "It's very disappointing as we are still not out of the relegation mire and, to top it all, we picked up a couple of key injuries. Over 90 minutes, there were two shots on target, one for each side. They found the net with theirs and we didn't."

Wideman Dean Blake has left Bognor after a row with Pearce. Meanwhile, Ben Carrington is ready to hit the painkillers again as Worthing chase more points on the road.

The big striker has been troubled by a groin injury all season but hit a hat-trick at Bromley last week as Rebels extended their unbeaten away record in division one to nine games.

They go to Wealdstone tomorrow with Carrington admitting: "The injury has got better but it still won't go away. The painkillers get me through 70 minutes but I'm only playing at about 90 per cent which doesn't suit my type of game."

Carrington has struck up an instant rapport with Dave Cameron, which is just as well with fellow strikers Marc Rice and Simon Funnell sidelined. He added: "Last week was good but I'm not too bothered about promotion. We play better when we're relaxed and no-one's expecting too much of us."

Horsham are without their entire back four at home to lowly Leighton in division two. John Kirby and Martin Lempriere are banned, Dave Bastian is away and right-sided Dave

Odongo has a knock.

Roger Barnes and Cliff Thomas are likely to fill in at the back. Boss John Maggs will start contract talks with goalkeeper lee Preston within the next fortnight and is keen to add John Keeley to his squad.

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