MARC CABLE was sent off for a professional foul a minute from time as champions Burgess Hill held on for a 1-1 draw at struggling Ringmer in the Unijet Sussex League.

Cable was dismissed for holding back Tony Ropke just as it seemed the Ringmer striker might scamper clear to grab a dramatic winner.

Both managers had differing views about the incident but referee Carl Brooks had little option but to produce the red card once he had given the free kick.

Ringmer boss Richard Soan said: "It was an excellent performance and we played really well. We thoroughly deserved a point, if not all three.

"I thought it was a definite sending off because if he Ropke had been able to go on he would have almost certainly scored. It had to be a red card."

Hillians manager Gary Croydon said he thought the dismissal was harsh and suggested the club might appeal.

As for the result, he added: "It is disappointing to come to a team that are struggling and only get one point when we should be looking to get three."

In boggy conditions, Ringmer took the lead on 51 minutes when big defender Andy Coleman headed home from Daniel Merry's free kick.

Burgess Hill then pushed Daren Newman into attack and Ringmer were grateful to keeper Mark Oldroyd for denying Cable, Ashley Carr, Newman and Tony Holden as the visitors stepped up a pace.

But the equaliser eventually came on 77 minutes when Paul Thomsett slung over a deep cross from the right which found Carr at the far post and his header was helped into the net by the flailing Oldroyd.

But that was as good as it got for Hillians and it was Ringmer who so nearly pinched maximum points in a rousing finish.

With Langney Sports' match at Horsham YMCA being postponed, it enabled other teams to close the gap at the top.

Saltdean's frontmen are giving boss Glenn Burvill a real selection headache.

Sean Randell and two-goal Shaun Grice put Tigers on course for a convincing 3-0 win at rainswept Hassocks.

Then Leighton Allen and Warren Bagnall came off the bench to put the seal on Robins' first home defeat in five League outings.

Tigers, missing half their front side, made light work of a potentially tricky test, with Terry Cooper's passing skills catching the eye.

Burvill said: "I've got four lads who can play up front and they understand I've got to pick the right combination to help the team.

"Sean Randell's having his most consistent season for us and he set up the first goal with the first bit of quality all day."

Randell's run and cross allowed Justin Harris to nod down for Grice to force home close range shot on 43 minutes.

Randell then hit both posts before precise crosses from Harris set up headed goals for Grice and Allen in the last 12 minutes.

Portfield moved up to sixth in the table after fighting back from 2-0 down to win 4-3 at Littlehampton.

Goals from Derren Woods and Dave Fallon put the Marigolds 2-0 ahead by the 39th minute. But Steve Poulton pulled one back just before half time and Portfield then scored three times in five minutes early in the second half.

Danny Horrell levelled on 54 minutes before strikes from Ashley Edwards and Poulton made it 4-2. James Thornton's strike seven minutes from time ensured an exciting finish.

Eastbourne United squand-ered a 2-0 lead at home to Redhill. Goals from Keiron White and Dale Seymour put United in the driving seat, but Ben Jones pulled one back on 33 minutes and Dave Mizon levelled 15 minutes from time.

The other three games in the division all ended goalless.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.