Fred Proto insists Worthing United did not ask for their cup game with Clymping to be abandoned.

The County League Division Two Cup tie at Clymping was halted at half-time with the hosts winning 1-0 after one of the linesmen was taken ill.

Mavericks joint boss Proto says a Worthing United person did query the referee's choice of a replacement but refutes claims that his side refused to carry on.

Proto said: “The referee came out at half-time and said one of his linesmen had collapsed and he needed to find someone else to do it.

“As we started the second half we realised the linesmen he had found was on their committee and had sat on their bench as physio in the first half.

“Someone queried it and the referee said, 'That's it we are not carrying on'.

“We never said we wanted it off. We wanted to carry on but the referee didn't ask us if the linesman was acceptable and we felt he should have done.”

Worthing United must now wait to hear whether the game is replayed or awarded to Clymping.

Littlehampton went through 2-1 against Little Common thanks to goals from Idriz Adedoja and Matt Russell, while Loxwood edged out Lancing 1-0 with Fred Bowles getting the only goal.

In the league, Rye United returned to the top with a 4-2 defeat of Southwick thanks to goals from Danny Ellis (two), Dominic Clarke and an own goal.

Wealden climbed to third after winning 2-0 at Westfield with strikes from Chris Hickman and Dan Turner. Stafford Browne also missed a penalty.

Sidley are up to fourth after a 7-0 drubbing of bottom side Midhurst and Easebourne thanks to goals from Kevin Rose (two), Kevin Barden, Danny Spice, Jason Taylor, Sam Hesmer and Shae Whyborne.

Liam Humphreys, Craig Grantham and Kirstian Harding netted as Storrington continued their good form with a 3-0 defeat of Oakwood.

Andy Boxall and Brett Neal scored for Rustington in a 2-2 draw with Steyning, who replied through Phil Rhodes and Greg Hearn.

Crawley Down have been ordered to replay their Sussex RUR Cup tie at Rye United.

The match was abandoned in the final minute of extra-time with the Anvils leading 3-2 but the referee said there were still three minutes of injury-time to be played.

Crawley Down were originally told they were awarded the game but Rye have successfully appealed against that decision.

Anvils boss Darren Guirey said: “We are disappointed. We were told we had been given the game and now we have been told it is a replay. But it isn't a replay in any case. If it was an abandoned game it should be replayed at our place.”