Chichester City aren't Short on late penalty drama

The 22 spectators endured a poor-quality game in which City took the lead on 15 minutes. St Francis were guilty of playing the ball around too much at the back and Matt Carruthers gave away a free-kick that Lewis Edwards struck round the badly-positioned wall.

Saints were level on 36 minutes when Daley Clark picked up the second ball from a corner and hit a 25-yarder that gave Short no chance.

Poor defending let in St Francis on 55 minutes and Louis Pople had a simple task from short-range to make it 2-1.

The hosts had numerous other opportunities, but with their lack of finishing it was easy to see why they’ve managed only one league victory all season.

They were made to pay when Chichester won a corner and Joe Briggs invited a challenge from Clark, who lunged in and grounded his opponent. Short converted the spot-kick to give Chichester their first point since the win over Selsey in August.

Despite remaining bottom, City’s games in hand mean they are mathematically in a stronger position than all three of the sides directly above them, including St Francis.

CITY: Short, Carrington, McDuffie, Portas, Wallis, Waite, Edwards, Doran, Reed, Briggs, James. Subs: Street, Quinn, Bass.

CHESTER BROWTON