Carter hits late winner

RICHARD CARTER struck a second-half brace to bring Shoreham Football Club back from a goal behind to snatch all three points at Middle Road on Tuesday night.

Carter recorded his 17th and 18th goals of the campaign to lift the Musselmen nine points clear of the dreaded drop zone.

The sides found themselves on level terms with two minutes of normal time remaining, before Carter '” Shoreham's leading scorer this season '” curled a magnificent free-kick into the top corner of Gary Smart's net.

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In a dire first-half, chances were few and far between. Daren Pearce came closest for the visitors, but his drilled 20-yard effort flew just wide of Ronan Callaghan's right post.

Selsey, sporting Brighton & Hove Albion's away strip for the evening, took the lead six minutes after the break. Referee Craig Cox awarded a penalty when Mussels' skipper Dan Jordan hacked down Ross Woolf inside the box. Pearce stepped up and sent Ronan Callaghan the wrong way to notch his 11th strike of the season.

But within five minutes Shoreham drew level. Rob Boddy's persistence paid off down the right flank. He beat three defenders on the byeline then pulled the ball back for Carter to lash past the helpless Smart between the Selsey sticks.

At last, the game appeared to have come to life, much to the delight of the spectators around the ground.

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Midway through the second-half, the hosts were temporarily reduced to nine men. Dan Jordan limped off after falling awkwardly on his ankle, while Mark Burt had a sudden urge for a comfort break.

Much to his credit, captain Jordan battled on through the pain barrier to provide many an obstacle to the frustrated Selsey attack.

In the closing stages, Smart denied Rob Boddy a deserved goal from point blank range, before Carter sealed victory with his beautifully crafted set-piece.

The visitors almost nicked a point late on. John Price's header beat Ronan Callaghan, but just eluded the far post as Shoreham held on.

SHOREHAM: R.Callaghan; Dorrington, Jordan, Hurley, Simmons; Boddy, Carter, Burt, O.Callaghan; Annis, Smith. Subs: Pearson (Smith 82), Georgiou, Groves, Proto, Wallace.

Report by Sam Satchell

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