Hastings beaten by eight-man Horsham

The latest reverse means they The U’s haven’t won in the Ryman Premier for 10 games and leaves them precariously placed just above the relegation zone.

Tony Dolby’s misfiring side fell behind after 12 minutes when Gary Charman took advantage of some loose defending by Nick Barnes to fire beyond Scott Chalmers-Stevens.

Horsham doubled their lead just before half time through Charman again with a neat flick from Anthony Storey’s free kick.

Ade Olorunda went close to halving the deficit soon after half time but his effort looped on to the top of the crossbar. Not long after Charman completed his hat-trick with a close range finish.

Three goals down the game looked to up for the home side only for Horsham to have three players see red in the space of five mad minutes.

Michael Hector was the first to go after picking up his second yellow card and he was followed down the tunnel by hat-trick hero Charman.

Russell Eldridge then scored from the free kick conceded by Hector to give Hastings their first home goal in the league since October 2.

Paul Kennett was the third Horsham player to receive his marching orders for a lunging challenge on Eldridge and the remaining 20 minutes turned into defence against attack as Hastings laid siege to the opposition penalty box.

Despite constant pressure they only managed one more goal with Sean Ray missing out on a possible hat-trick including one fluffed chance from two yards out.

Josh Jirbandey, Tim Olorunda and James Cade (twice) were all denied by goalkeeper Mark Zawadski while Olorunda struck the crossbar for a second time in the match and also fired over from close range. The only opportunity they did convert was Kenny Pogue’s far post finish from an Olorunda cross.

Hastings: Chalmers-Stevens, Barnes (Sawyer 72), Eldridge, Beales, Ray, T. Olorunda, Price (Jirbandey 56), Adams, A. Olorunda, Cade, Davisson (Pogue 81). Subs not used: Logan, Dolby.

Referee: Ian Crouch (Orpington). Attendance: 251.