GEORGE Parris has been in too many scrapes with Albion and Birmingham to get the Blues.

Two late goals at wet and windy Middle Road handed his Shoreham side their second defeat in six games on Saturday and offered a timely reminder that there's work to be done yet in the relegation mire.

Chris Piper capped a man-of- the-match performance by scoring his second, then set up a Kieron White tap-in as United finally made their territorial advantage pay.

They are now climbing away from danger on the back of a five-game unbeaten run.

But Shoreham player/manager Parris won't give up heart as he attempts an unlikely rescue attempt.

The former Albion defender said: "I've been in battles before and I'm enjoying this one.

"We certainly won't give up. I remember I was at Birmingham one year when we needed to win about six out of the last nine to stay up.

"We pulled it off so that shows what can be done, but you've got to knuckle down and take a game at a time.

"We've got Wick next week and, if we work like we did today and add a bit of quality, we will be okay.

"I couldn't fault the players' effort. Conditions were difficult but I thought we were pretty comfortable for most of the game."

In fact, they weren't that comfortable, but a handful of great saves from Terry Fox and an athletic goal-line clearance from the boss kept them in it.

Parris is still playing and talking a good game at the back. His non-stop instructions on Saturday ranged from technical pre-game tips to a more basic "don't panic" as an enjoyable contest reached its hectic finale.

But it was the outstanding Piper who had the biggest say as United carved out a deserved win.

The former Langney frontman impressed with his control and passing and had a big role in all four goals.

His right wing cross was thumped in by Dale Seymour for a 32nd-minute opener which was quickly cancelled out when James Tovey pushed Richard Hudson's corner into his own net.

Langney regained the lead in almost identical fashion on 69 minutes when White's flag-kick was forced inside the near post by a combination of Piper and goalkeeper Fox.

Again Shoreham bounced back quickly as Tim Marshall slid home his sixth goal in six starts.

But Piper's strength won the day as rode a challenge to thrash home his side's third, then broke clear on a counter attack which White eventually concluded from a couple of yards.

Fox, who did well to deny Piper, White and Geoff Sallows, has been a regular since Parris hit on the novel idea of switching previous goalkeeper Pat Lawrence into midfield.

The saves certainly piled on the anxiety for visiting boss Micky French, who admitted: "It was just a question of time before we scored, but we had to be very patient.

"Chris Piper was excellent today. He and Dale Seymour keep the ball and bring other players into the game.

"But Keiron White has been the plus for us. He was playing in the Suburban League but we've brought him in and he has been tremendous."

United should stay up while Shoreham will just keep fighting. It could be a tense battle for survival but, with their old pro in the thick of it, at least they are in with a shout.

Shoreham: Fox, Tompsett, Counsell (sub Webber 88), Tozer, Reaney, Parris, Marshall, Lawrence (sub Constable 45), Emmerson, Hudson, Ayre. Unused sub: Hardin.

Eastbourne United: Tovey, Harris, Chater, Tinkler, Smith, White, C. Piper, Sallows, Seymour, Fry, Crabb. Unused subs: Henderson, R. Piper, Shashall.

Bookings: None.

Referee: Dave Smith (Brighton).

Men of the match: Fox (Shoreham), C. Piper (Eastbourne United).

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