A dismal performance saw ten-man Bognor slump to a 2-0 defeat at West Leigh Park in their local derby with Havant & Waterlooville.

Goals either side of half-time condemned the Rocks to defeat, with Charlie Balfe seeing red for his challenge on Albion loanee Gary Hart.

The Rocks appeared to be suffering from a New Years Day hangover and manager Michael Birmingham said: "The best team won on the day. They (Havant) absolutely murdered us from the first minute to the last and we simply weren't at the races.

"We had too many players miles off from their game. I won't single people out as it's a team game but the only plus point for us on the day, was the scoreline was not a hammering."

Rocks were without Luke Nightingale and Seb Wallis-Tayler through injury but on-loan Albion striker Sam Gargan returned to the side and partnered Dan Beck up front.

The Hawks were first out of the traps and Rocky Baptiste wasted two chances to give the home side an early lead.

The reprieve only lasted until the 24th minute when on-loan Peterborough winger Alfie Potter picked the ball up on the left, before racing forward and sending a dipping effort over Stoner into the roof of the net from just outside the penalty area.

Bognor had appeals for a penalty waved away when David Birmingham tumbled in the area on the left but the referee rightly signalled for a goal-kick.

Just before the break, Alex Haddow saw his low effort scrambled past the far post by Kevin Scriven in the Hawks goal after being set up by Scott Chamberlain and then Beck squandered a glorious chance to level the scores when he raced clear only to shoot straight at Scriven.

The second half saw the Rocks once again struggle to get any rhythm into their game and they were given a mountain to climb in the 64th minute when the Hawks doubled their advantage.

Having been set free by Potter on the left, Havant's on-loan Albion forward Hart raced through and was sent tumbling in the box by Balfe, earning the defender a straight red card. Up stepped Rocky Baptiste to convert the spot-kick with a low effort which just eluded the left hand of Stoner.

Bognor suffered a further setback when Beck was substituted through injury but they almost grabbed a consolation late on when substitute Scott Harris sent in a low cross which Gargan received with his back to goal, before his shot on the turn beat the helpless Scriven, only for the ball to cannon off the crossbar Bognor: Stoner, Balfe, D Birmingham, Chamberlain, Breach, Knee, Ray, M Birmingham, Beck (Harris 65), Haddow (Rowland 75), Gargan. Subs not used: Greatwich, Sackman.