Francis Vines last night turned down the chance to manage Ryman League Hastings United.

The former Crawley manager, who was sacked by the Conference side at the end of October, said: "I have spoken to their chairman Dave Walters but it is a little bit too far away from my home in Aldershot.

"He has tried his hardest to persuade me to take over and seems an honest man who wants what is best for his club.

"Hastings were once the biggest club in Sussex football and are a fallen giant as far as the county scene is concerned.

"He was quite convincing and if I lived closer he may have succeeded.

"But I live in Aldershot and it's a two-hour journey and that was the stumbling block.

"He laid his cards on the table and I almost picked them up but I was not prepared to do the job half-heartedly."

Vines was top of Walters shortlist to succeed former Wales and Everton goalkeeper Neville Southall who was sacked last week.

Sammy Donnelly is also believed to be on that wanted list although Walters was remaining tight-lipped as to his next target.

Walters said: "There is someone else who I think would be great for the job at Hastings but I cannot say who that is at the moment.

"There were two names that stood out a mile to replace Neville and I have just got really close to getting one of them.

"I had a three-hour meeting with Francis last week and we have spoken at length since and, in football terms, I am gutted that he has not taken the job.

"He is a great guy and I am sure he will be back in football again very soon and will go on to bigger and better things.

"If another club does not make a move for him then I sincerely believe they will be missing out."

Walters will again leave team affairs in the hands of senior players Pat Brown and Nigel Kane tonight when Met Police visit.

They were in the dugout on Saturday for the 0-0 draw at Bashley.

Walters said: "They conducted themselves impeccably on Saturday.

"As is often the case in adversity, you find out who you can rely on in difficult situations.

"The pair of them said they would love to help out when I asked them to and they did a great job.

"I chose the team for Saturday to take the pressure off them but they will have an even greater input for tonight's game."

Steve Yates and Simon Rowland are available for the Police's visit while Walters will host a fans' forum after the game in the clubhouse.

Lewes boss Steven King is set to unleash his new speed demon in the Sussex Senior Cup tonight.

Former West Ham striker Manny Omoyinmi is expected to make his debut at Wick after signing from Gravesend and Northfleet last week.

King said: "Manny probably won't start but he will play some part of the game. I want to see how he does and get him ready for Saturday's game against Weymouth.

He is one of the quickest strikers around. His pace is frightening when he gets going."

Bognor will still be missing striker Luke Nightingale and goalkeeper Craig Stoner as well as on-loan Albion defender Chris Breach as they attempt to bounce back from Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Weymouth.

Worthing will be unchanged in more ways than one against Ryman division one bottom side Redbridge at Gladwish Stadium tonight (7.30).

Rebels will play the same side that beat Maldon 2-1 on Saturday and joint-boss Danny Bloor says his players will have the same attitude.

He said: "We will approach the game in the same way.

Maldon were down the bottom, just like Redbridge are but we did not take anything for granted against them. That is what we will look to do again because Redbridge will not make it easy for us."