It's a disaster for Rebels

Rebels conceded the opening goal after only 63 seconds before Heybridge doubled their lead just before half-time and were gifted a third, through a Sonny Cobbs own goal, on 59 minutes.

The defeat leaves Worthing third from bottom and Harrow have now slipped to fourth bottom. They are three points ahead of Rebels and have two games in hand.

Previously fourth-bottom, Hendon, had a surprising 3-1 home victory over league-leaders AFC Wimbledon.

Worthing could not have got off to a worse start. Heybridge had already had a corner cleared when they took the lead just past the minute mark. Sean Marks broke down the right, squared to Richard Jolly, who could have shot but he laid up David Cowley, who slotted past Worthing keeper Rikki Banks from seven yards.

Daniel Morris fired an opening wide for Rebels from 20 yards on 10 minutes but Worthing failed to test Heybridge keeper Danny Gay in the whole game. Rebels had half-chances but it was always Heybridge who looked the more likely to score.

It was 2-0 six minutes before half-time. Marks beat Banks to the ball to head Jolly's cross home from three yards.

The game was all but over on 59 minutes when Heybridge added a third. Cobbs hit a back-pass to Banks, who completely missed the ball and could only turn to watch it roll into the net.

Ben Andrews missed a decent opportunity to get a consolation goal from Paul Rogers' free kick with 12 minutes left, when he fired over from eight yards, abut that was as close as Rebels came to scoring.

For reaction from Paul Rogers and captain Jamie Lawrence, see this week's Worthing Herald.

WORTHING: Banks; Andrews, Rogers, Cobbs; Davis, Fraser, Day, Lawrence, Simpson; Morris, Coleman. Subs: Lutwyche (Lawrence 67), Lawley (Morris 74), Brotherton, J.Keehan, Hunter gk.

Ryman League, Premier Div scores: Ashford 2, Bromley 0; Chelmsford 5, Horsham 0; East Thurrock 0, Ramsgate 1; Hampton 0, Billericay 0; Harrow 1, Staines 2; Hendon 3, AFC Wimbledon 1; Leyton 0, Folkestone 0; Margate 0, Boreham Wood 2; Slough 2, Tonbridge Angels 3; Walton 1, Carshalton 0; Worthing 0, Heybridge 3.