Eastbourne Borough 4, Fisher 0.

Eastbourne Borough have cut the gap on Blue Square south leaders Lewes to two points after brushing aside nine-man Fisher 4-0 at Priory Lane.

Goals from Andy Atkin, substitute Nathan Crabb, Pat Harding and Andy Ballard gave Borough victory over their fifth- placed visitors.

But the real talking point came during a mad ten minutes toward the end of the first half when the referee brandished six yellow cards including second bookings for two Fisher players.

The score was only 1-0 at the time and Borough made hard work of breaking down the nine men before running away with proceedings in the closing stages.

Manager Garry Wilson said: "Supporters and everyone think you should just go and hammer nine men but sometimes it is not quite as easy as that.

"We decided against a really strong wind in the second half just to keep our shape, to keep playing and be patient.

"We did that, we were worthy winners and we got the goals we wanted in the end."

Borough had been forced into one change from the side that lost 2-1 at Havant a week earlier, Ballard coming in for the suspended Darren Baker.

With Ben Austin still missing with a back problem it meant Borough were without two of their first choice defenders but there was some good news with a return on the bench for striker Allan Tait after five games out with a foot injury.

Borough looked to unsettle Fisher early on with Ballard launching huge throws into the penalty area and the ploy worked with just seven minutes gone.

Ballard's missile of a throw from the right flank was headed home by Atkin for his 24th goal of the season.

The visitors came into the game in excellent form and they showed why on ten minutes with a fabulous run from his own half by Andre McCollin, who seemed to run out of ideas as he reached the penalty area.

Borough's Robbie Kember threatened next on 19 minutes with a low shot which was well held by Simon Overland after a spell of pressure following a corner.

The game threatened to boil over on 30 minutes when Atkin and Fisher defender Gavyn Dayes clashed as they lined up for a free-kick. The flare-up sparked an ugly melee which the referee had to sort out before booking both players.

Atkin almost made it 2-0 three minutes later with a header from Matt Crabb's high ball which came back off the angle of the woodwork.

Borough argued they should have had a penalty as Atkin was floored by keeper Overland as he headed the ball but the hosts had no complaints with the referee when he reduced Fisher to nine men in quick succession.

Kieran Murtagh and McCollin were both shown a second yellow card within two minutes of each other. Murtagh's red was harsh but McCollin could not argue with his second booking on 39 minutes following a poor challenge on Jay Lovett.

Although there was only a goal in it at that stage, the double dismissal virtually killed the game as a contest.

The visitors could have had a third player sent off ten minutes into the second half but striker Jeff Goulding escaped with a yellow card after pushing his hand in the face of Ballard.

From a corner which followed the incident Fisher almost grabbed an unlikely equaliser when Gavin Heeroo steered the ball goalwards but his effort was blocked.

The Priory Lane faithful became restless as Borough, who had a golden chance to boost their goal difference, struggled to carve out openings.

Wilson responded with a change as he threw on Nathan Crabb for Atkin and it paid immediate dividends when the substitute hooked home Scott Ramsay's knockdown for 2-0 on 66 minutes.

It became 3-0 with 15 minutes remaining when a fierce shot from Matt Crabb was only parried by Overland and Harding lashed home the rebound.

Fisher almost grabbed a consolation on 88 minutes when Wes Thomas ran through but he slid his shot.

There was still time for Borough to grab a fourth in injury time when Ballard headed home Matt Crabb's corner.

Eastbourne Borough: Hook, Ballard, Jenkins, Kember, Lovett, Pullan, Harding, Armstrong, Atkin, Ramsay, M.Crabb. Subs: N.Crabb, Smart, Budd, Tait, Lightwood.

Fisher Athletic: Overland, Jackson, Wright, Murtagh, Dayes, Gooding, Batt, Heeroo, Goulding, McCollin, Thomas. Subs: Green, Hicky, Plymain, Tozer, Linsey.

Referee: L Collins