With three heavy league defeats in successive matches, Sam Morgan had some head scratching to do to work out how to avoid conceding early and what his line -up should be in the absence of of the suspended Harrison Parker, the injured Alex Plummer and the holidaying top scorer Harry Heath. Few people would have predicted a centre back pairing of Alex Laing, skippering the side and, making his starting debut after several unused substitute places, Etienne Frimpong. A gamble perhaps, but a bold selection came close to paying dividends against 6th place Sheppey

Shay Matthews and Charlie Gibson completed the back four. Alex Laing inspired those around him with a combative display and Etienne looked calm under pressure. Into the midfield came Knory Scott, who had not started since his red card away to Ramsgate 0n 14th December. There was a twin spearhead upfront with Joe Hasler and Blake Loyza.

The bright sunshine at the Sharrocks Insurance Stadium, Holm Park seemed to energise both sides. The Ites were first on the attack with a quick burst down the right and a cross towards goal which James Dillon gathered in comfortably. Lancing responded with Noel Fisher heading towards the opposition box at pace before being fouled in a promising position for Lancing. Charlie Gibson’s trusty left peg curled the dead ball kick towards the far top corner but saw it fail to drop under the bar. A penetrating long pass from Alex Laing was put behind for a corner on the right. Charlie Gibson floated the ball not the six yard box. The defensive clearance fell to Alex Laing well positioned 10 yards from the goal. He volleyed instantly finding a gap through a ruck of players and into the net. Lancing had succeeded in turning the tables, taking an early lead on 8 minutes instead of falling behind in the first few minutes.

Alex Laing was to complete the first of many vital blocks and tackles as The Ites launched another speedy attack leading to a dangerous run along the byeline. A corner was floated beyond the far post.

The early stages illustrated the game plan which was for Blake Loyza and Joe Hasler to work hard to cover as much ground as possible to close down the home defenders.

A Charlie Gibson infringement just outside the box provided the first real test for James Dillon. The ensuing free kick was heading towards the top corner until punched clear by the Lancing keeper. A corner followed and ,in a packed six yard box, Dillon was baulked as he tried to claim the ball, causing the ball to drop but he had been fouled in the process.

Noel Fisher was proving hard to stop once travelling with the ball and after progressing into the opposition box saw his attempt on goal deflected for corner. Alex Laing continued to hit some probing long passes picking out Noel Fisher whose cross from out wide ended up with Knory Scott attempting an over head kick towards goal but only clearing the cross bar.

James Dillon had to react to get down low at his upright after a clearance from a corner was headed back towards the goal. Lancing were working hard all over the pitch to contain an Ites team displaying plenty of pace .George Taggart was covering so much ground and was being well supported by his fellow midfielders, Noel Fisher, Ta’Shae Andall-Gibbons and Knory Scott ,hunting in packs at times.

Alex Laing and both full backs were kept busy as The Ites powered forward and a number of corners were being conceded, which Lancing were doing well to defend successfully.. A headed Laing clearance from a corner was driven back goal-wards but only finding the side netting. The pressure was building on Lancing as half time approached .James Dillon was forced into making a very good save from a well struck effort. There was the worrying sight of George Taggart requiring treatment after being injured making a tackle.

Charlie Gibson had to be alert to block a cross after a cleverly executed free kick. A series of corners kept up the pressure on Lancing as the ball ricocheted around in the box before James Dillon was able to gather the ball safely in ,m with the half time whistle about to blow ,with Lancing basking in a half time lead for the first time for some while.

The second half began with George Taggart trying his luck with a long range effort but Aidan Prall, in the home goal , was able to hold on to the ball just under the cross bar. The Ites were getting the ball into the Lancing box and there was some desperation as the ball kept coming back with Lancing at full stretch but showing great resolve to keep their clean sheet. There was relief when James Dillon was able to latch on to a loose ball.

A dangerous break down the Ites right ended with a shot into the side netting and an inviting cross into the box set up a golden headed opportunity but the ball was glanced wide. With 64 minutes gone it was time to bring on the fresh legs of Leon Fisher for the hard working Knory Scott.

The breakthrough came for The Ites on 67 minutes. The ball was not fully cleared from the Lancing box and Daniel Bradshaw was quick to capitalise and bring his side level. Lancing had a lucky escape a few minutes later. A clever dummy set up a clear shooting opportunity from close range but the ball was blazed well above the bar. Lancing were having to mount a disciplined defence as The Ites were encouraged forward by drawing level. Ta’Shae came to his side’s rescue getting his body in the way to prevent the ball crossing the line. The ball was ping ponged around the six-yard box before a shot struck the upright and ,with several Lancing players on the ground , and a second goal threatening, the whistle came to their rescue. There was certainly a never say die attitude from the Lancing players as they fought to hold on to a share of the points putting their bodies on the line.

Etienne Frimpong was next to make a good block .A corner followed which was flicked on setting up a perfect opportunity to bury a header into the net, instead of which, the ball was hit upwards and over the bar.

Lancing bounced back with a good attacking move .Charlie Gibson laid on a pass for Blake Loyza who forced Prall to push it wide of the goal. Lancing kept possession and the ball found George Taggart who drove it hard and low but just wide of the upright. Alex Laing continued to put in a captain’s display with another vital tackle and a clearance from Etienne Frimpong fell kindly for an Ites forward to volley back towards the top corner. A goal looked to be a certainty but James Dillon was able to fling himself across and upwards to keep the ball out. There was another mad scramble in the Lancing box .

Lancing had brought on Mario Quiassaca for Blake Loyza on 82 minutes as they searched for a winner but it was the home side who sealed victory on 86 minutes as Gil Carvalho rammed home a loose ball .

Harry Docherty replaced Ta’Shae to see out 4 minutes of added time in the hope that he could provide a final spark to ignite a grand finish but it was not to be.

So Lancing faced the long journey home with no points to show for what was a much improved performance ,free of careless errors. Sheppey are a powerful side and moved up to fifth place with this win. To hold on to a slender lead for so long was commendable and to concede the winner so late in the game was hard to take but Lancing should be encouraged by a determined effort to get something from what might have seemed an impossible task, when being below full strength. All those who wore the yellow and blue can hold their heads up high.

Lancing are still sitting clear of the relegation zone but teams immediately below them (Littlehampton and Phoenix)can leapfrog above them if they win their games in hand. Further adrift are Hythe Town, 7 points behind but with 4 games in hand so they too can climb above Lancing .Steyning look doomed being 8 points behind Lancing with only two games in hand. However , there is still a lot of football to be played.

Lancing XI

James Dillon, Shay Matthews, Alex Laing(capt.), Etienne Frimpong, Charlie Gibson, George Taggart, Knory Scott(Leon Fisher 64), Ta’shae Andall-Gibbons (Harry Docherty 90), Noel Fisher, Blake Loyza (Mario Quiassaca 82), Joe Hasler.