Lower Bevendean were hit by a double daylight robbery last weekend.

The Premier Division team were first beaten by by a ten-man AJC Beaufort side in a league and College Cup double-header and then after the match, adding insult to injury, they discovered their changing room had been burgled.

The game was played at the Aldrington Sports Ground on Wish Road in Hove and manager Jeff Gillam and his team were left furious.

"The result itself was daylight robbery," he said. "Our lot were all over them and they only played with one up front. When we found out we had been robbed there was total disbelief. I'm just pleased I collected the subs before the game or else the club would have been out of pocket too.

"I have written and sent in a letter to the league that the hasp on the latch of our dressing room was about as much use as our defence."

Captain Steve Taylor was one of the players who lost cash, as the thieves stole £85 but left credit cards and mobile phones.

He said: "We lost the game and thought it couldn't get any worse. The match didn't go for us, we couldn't score and because Beaufort only had ten men they battled very hard.

"The atmosphere is always flat after a defeat, but on that occasion it was sombre. I personally lost £15 and was cheesed off."

Steve was adamant he would not swap his money for the win however: "No way, not for £15, maybe for a fiver."

Brighton Council are responsible for maintaining the dressing rooms, but their spokesman Alan Stone insisted it was not their responsibility.

He said: "We have no staff or security provisions at these pavilions. We cannot take responsibility for players' valuables. If we did the teams would have to pay for it."

Chris Oswick, speaking for Sussex Police, said: "We have had reports five people lost money from an unsecure pavilion on Saturday afternoon. If there are any witnesses, we would like to hear from them.

"It was an opportunist burglary. Theft of valuables is a perennial problem, and if there are any doubts about security, players should leave them on the sidelines with their coach."