Hastings United manager Steve Lovell was delighted with his side's performance as they bounced back from Saturday's disappointing FA Cup exit to beat Burgess Hill.

Lovell admitted he was like a bear with a sore head after the 1-0 defeat at Spalding United but his players soothed his furrowed brow with a deserved win over an understrength Hillians side who went down to ten men after 61 minutes when Lloyd Cotton collected a second yellow card.

Lovell said: "I am pleased with the way the players bounced back.

"I was very disappointed on Saturday, as were all the players, and it was good to get that result out of our system.

"I have a good side here and it is going to be a good season."

Hillians boss Gary Croydon was disappointed his side were unable to hang on for a point after a resolute defensive display in front of the outstanding Pat Gannon.

Croydon said: "Going down to ten men made life difficult for us but I was happy with our performance.

"If we hadn't lost Lloyd then I think we could have come away with a point."

Both sides introduced new faces with Hastings fielding Simon Rowland, signed on dual forms from Eastbourne Borough, while Hillians had brought in Ben Fillery on a month's work experience from Albion.

The early action set the tone for the game. Hastings won the first free-kick after just a minute and Russell Eldridge's inswinging set piece flicked off the head of Rowland into the arms of Gannon.

The Hillians almost succeeded with a route one attack as Gannon's drop kick dissected the Hastings centre-backs but home goalkeeper Danny Knowles was quickly out of his box to head clear.

Hastings Peter Mortley was the first to find himself in the referee's notebook after hauling back the impressive Steve Harper on the halfway line on ten minutes.

United's first real sight of goal came after 16 minutes but Ryan Peters' effort was blocked inside the penalty area and Rowland could get no power on the follow up strike.

The Hillians responded with a quick break but a superbly timed tackle by Richard Bolton halted Kevin Townsend's progress as he closed in on goal.

Eldridge bent a 25-yard free-kick over the bar on 20 minutes and a Steven Hafner half-volley was on target as Gannon was the busier keeper during the first half.

Gannon was forced into action twice within the opening minute of the second half, saving well from Rowland and Rook.

Hastings' pressure finally told on 74 minutes when Rook raced on to a defence splitting pass by Hafner after Gannon's poor clearance and he beat the advancing keeper.