Bognor boss Jack Pearce has revealed three of his key midfielders asked to come off midway through their Senior Cup final defeat by Lewes.

Michael and David Birmingham and Guy Rutherford all said they were unable to continue as they struggled with injuries.

Pearce, whose side conceded a soft 41st minute equaliser, said: "Our changing room at half-time was the lowest I have seen it all season.

"We never passed the ball in the middle of the park in the second half and that was down to the injuries."

Bognor's big and noisy following at Langney applauded their men off at the end. Pearce said: "They were superb. I felt so sorry for them."