Football can often be a game of highs and lows, and Bridges certainly had their fair share of both in this topsy turvy affair.

For most of the first half, they were second best to Lancing, who attacked in numbers but often spurned their chances.

But they struck first in the sixth minute when the excellent Lorenzo Lewis crossed and former Bridges player Matt Daniel stabbed the ball home. Darius Goldsmith flashed just wide after good work by Modou Jammeh, and Bridges’ only response was a speculative lob by Dan Perry that went just wide.

A good Crossfield move ended with Lewis firing just over, and it was almost inevitable that Lancing would double their tally, which they did after 29 minutes when poor defending allowed James Rhodes to finish into the far corner from the right.

But Bridges unexpectedly received a lifeline after 38 minutes when Curtis Gayler’s free kick left the home defence exposed and Ryan Brackpool took advantage of indifferent marking to head home.

It was no surprise that Bridges upped their game after the break. Michael Wilson fired just over and he was involved in a move across the field that led to Dan Ferreria equalising after 65 minutes. And just two minutes later the visitors incredibly went ahead when Brackpool, from deep in his own half, cleared upfield and caught keeper Gregor Shaw well off his line for a quite stunning goal that led to wild celebrations for Bridges players and officials alike.

But it proved to be a false dawn for Bridges and after 79 minutes good play by substitute Destiny Ojo ended with a low cross that Daniel met with the simplest of tap ins. And it got even worse after 86 minutes when the defence looked all over the place as Lewis found the room to drive low and hard past Mitch Bromage for what proved to be the winner.

There was still time for a mini brawl in added time which left Gayler with a yellow card whilst Lewis received his marching orders to spoil what had been an otherwise good afternoon for him.

Bridges Man of the Match – Ryan Brackpool.

This Saturday Bridges are at home to Ashford United in the League. Meanwhile, they have been drawn to play Worthing in the semi finals of the Sussex Senior Cup, Horsham facing Brighton And Hove Albion in the other tie. The games will be played later this month, dates to be confirmed.