Crawley Town's dreams of cup glory appear to be over after they suffered a 4-0 defeat at Worcester City in the first leg of the Dr Martens League Cup final last night.

Boss Billy Smith employed Francis Vines as a lone striker in an attempt to stifle the hosts, but his plans suffered an early blow.

With just four minutes on the clock defender Danny Wackett stooped to head clear, but instead the ball sailed over goalkeeper Andy Little into the net.

When Reds got a clear sight of the goal on 12 minutes Nigel Brake fired wildly over before captain Luke Anderson was booked for a challenge on Marc Burrow.

Vines fired wide in their best move of the half, but Reds' task was made more difficult on 25 minutes when Anderson received a second yellow card for an elbow on Chris Greenman.

The home side increased their lead three minutes after the break when Keith Sharman lost possession on the edge of the box and, with Little stranded, Sheppard found an empty net.

The goal of the game extended City's lead on 74 minutes when Paul Carty set up Hyde who looped a long range strike over Little. And Sheppard's second goal with two minutes left appears to have ended the tie as a contest.

Smith said: "It was all uphill for us after Luke Anderson's sending off. As captain he has to take responsibility for his discipline. But as a team we proved we're just not good enough."

RESULTS RICH CITY SUSSEX COUNTY LEAGUE - Division One: Saltdean 2 (Venton 24, King 37) Selsey 0; Wick 6 (Young 36,42pens, Annis 53,56,65, Cole 87) East Preston 0.

Division Two: Broadbridge Heath 0 Worthing United 2 (Berrett 4, Jones 77); Crowborough 0 Westfield 0; East Grinstead Town 4 (Wright 17, Hardy 29, Garrett 34, Gellatly 47), Crawley Down 0; Lingfield 0 Oakwood 4 (Woodburn 9, Garman 22,24, Manville 60); Storrington 3 (Baker 2,58, K.Bridle 28) Oving 2 (Own goal 10, Rishman 66); Wealden 4 (Woodbridge 15, Coleman 31, Sales 40pen, 85) Hailsham 2 (D.Jones 43, Neal 59).

Division Three: Ifield 2 (Gillingham 5, Sheeran 61), Ansty Rangers 4 (Mortimer 38, Pendry 39, Chamberlain 66, Rendall 79.