Opinion is divided within the Burgess Hill camp as to whether they are capable of going all the way in the FA Vase this season.

The Hillians brushed aside Danny Hinshelwood's men, who played with ten men for 55 minutes at Leylands Park following the dismissal of defender Neil Winter for violent conduct.

But those in charge of the League leaders know it is only going to get harder as the weaker sides fall by the wayside.

When asked if he had a side capable of going all the way, Hillians manager Gary Croydon deferred to his coach Graham Marchant for an opinion.

Marchant, who likes to keep a low profile and won't enjoy reading his name in the paper, said: "Not with that side we won't."

Short and sharp but Marchant backed up his opinion with sound arguments.

He said: "When you get down to the nitty-gritty and you get sides with a lot more possession than Selsey had against us and they start pinging balls into our penalty box, you cannot expect the keeper to come for everything.

"I mean where is our aerial power? We need a big commanding No.5 in my opinion. I think in the end that will catch us out unless we find somebody to do that at the back.

"That is not a criticism of the side and Daren Newman was the answer but I don't know what is happening with him, no one knows."

Newman turned out for Withdean 2000 in the Combined Counties League, and his future at Burgess Hill looks in grave doubt.

And, if Marchant's assessment is correct, then the Hillians' future in the competition could also be in doubt if they cannot find someone to fill the role Newman plays so well.

On the pitch, Hillians stalwart Adie Downey, 27, has a cautiously optimistic view as to their chances of winning the coveted trophy.

The captain joined the club as a 16-year-old and, except for one season at Ringmer, has been there ever since, reaching the last 16 with the side in 1998.

He said: "I think this is the best side I have played in.

"It comes down to the draw again. In the Vase a couple of years ago we got to the last 16 but got an away draw.

"If you can get that home draw it can make such a difference.

"If we have our full side and everyone's fit, then we have a good chance of going all the way.

"Maybe we do need a couple of additions to the side, but not many, just a couple."

Disappointed Selsey player-manager Hinshelwood believes the Hillians are capable of an extended run.

He said: "We played two sides from out of our league in the earlier rounds and we beat them quite comfortably.

"If Burgess Hill get home draws they have a chance of going all the way."

Underdogs Selsey never had much chance of causing an upset after going down to ten men.

For the first half-an-hour they threatened to punish a shaky home defence missing the injured Des Guile.

Hillians keeper Pat Gannon made a fine save to deny the lively Lee Stevens in the first ten minutes but it was the visitors' keeper David Leaver who was the busier all afternoon.

He distinguished himself with a superb reaction save to deny Phil Churchill on 12 minutes that kept his side in the tie.

The balance of the game swung irretrievably on 39 minutes when Lee Isaac scored from close range after a scramble in the visitors' area and Winter lashed out at the midfielder with an arm as he rose to celebrate.

Referee Andy Laver sent Winter off and, reduced to ten men, Selsey's threat evaporated.

Seven minutes into the second half Hillians doubled their lead when Leaver could not hold Millwall trialist Steve Harper's shot and Downey slid the ball home for his first of the season.

Harper turned goalscorer on 71 minutes as Ashley Carr pulled the ball back from the byline and the fourth goal involved the trio of substitutes introduced by Croydon.

Dave Stevens found Tim Brown and from his cross Tom Levitt steered his finish beyond Leaver.

That wrapped up Hillians' 18th straight victory while they broke the 100-goal mark for the season in all competitions.