The Blues pushed higher grade Eastbourne Town all the way before being edged out 2-1 in an FA Cup preliminary round tie at Gullivers.

But the major talking point centred upon United midfielder Willard sustaining a badly broken nose midway through the second half.

Willard was struck by what assistant manager Glenn Sully called a forearm smash from Town striker and former Sidley player Shaun Loft as he pursued a bouncing ball.

Blood was pouring from the nose of the likeable Willard and he was taken to hospital shortly afterwards with it severely out of shape and with a hole in one nostril.

United manager Andy Laskey said that their centre-half Brad Poole, a paramedic by trade, described Willard's injury as one of the worst of its kind that he had seen.

Loft received a yellow card, a decision which left the Sidley bench fuming and which resulted in an angry exchange of words with the Town managerial staff.

The normally mild-mannered Laskey fumed: "That's probably one of the worst challenges I've ever seen not punished by a red card. There's not anybody in this ground who wouldn't think that's a sending-off."

In terms of the football, half time arrived with the game still goalless largely thanks to the fine performances of both goalkeepers.

Ryman Division One South outfit Eastbourne opened the scoring on the hour when Danny Leach scrambled the ball home after Ben Putland's header had struck the crossbar.

Greg Manton doubled their advantage two minutes into added time, but Stuart Collier pulled one back after a driving run by Mickey O'Callaghan.

"I thought we matched them and, if anything, I thought we had more attempts on goal than they did," added Laskey.

On Saturday, Westfield made it four wins ouf of four in Division Two of the Sussex County League with a 2-1 win at home to neighbours Bexhill United.

And Rye United gained their first points courtesy of a 2-1 success at Wealden, a match which United had three players sent-off and Wealden two.