As JG would have said 'Its a funny old game', as this replay showed tonight with the contest turning out to be a complete contrast to the first encounter at Middle Road, although accentuating circumstances did probably play a large part in this replay.

The Anvils got off to the worst possible start losing both Aaron Denver and keeper Seb Bos both having to retire early after suffering severe knocks, this all happening in the first 10 mins, replacements for the duo being Tom Saunders and a debut for 16 year old keeper Sam Jackson.

On 14 the first Anvil noise came with Josh Alcock being felled just outside the box, the resultant free kick by Matt Gates was fired well over the upright, on 20 Matt Burroughs a terrier thro out was also bought down, with Ryan Fletchers free kick taking a deflection before being hacked away.

On 23 a rare sortie from the Musselmen came with midfielder Craig Anderson feeding Mickey DaMario but he in turn was unable to finish on target, followed on the half hour with a long shot from Alex Fair comfortably taken by keeper Jackson, the Anvils were protecting the stopper thro out this period, allied to a rather shot shy Mussel attack also helping the cause.

It took the Anvils 25 mins before their first corner thro Shuga'a which caused a flutter in the Mussels defence with the ball coming out to Gates who yet again could only replicate his earlier finish, come 30 and a Saunders cross found Steve Major in space but his attempted shot was charged down.

On 37 visitors DaMario on a charge set up Anderson whose shot was half cleared only as far as Wes Millis who could only find keeper Jackson, a further blow to Anvil hopes came on 45 with Shuga'a succumbing to a Hamstring injury, replacement for Shuga'a being Ciaran Steers as the half ended all square. HT 0-0.

For the second half the visitors soon set out their stall with first Roberts having a shot turned away for the first corner, a second soon followed only being cleared as far as Millis who made no mistake 0-1 Shoreham. On 52 the score was doubled with Dunk setting up Roberts to fire home number two. 0-2 Shoreham. On the hour the visitors abrasive Ali was booked after another nasty tackle, come 65 it was game over as from another corner fullback Rob Alan rose at the far post to nod home their third. 0-3 Shoreham.

For the Anvils now devoid of further subs the going was tough, but they continued to push onward, and come the hour a buildup led to a shot grazing the far post, followed by Burroughs firing wide. Come 68 and a glimmer of hope for players and supporters alike as from another buildup Gates back heeled to Steers on his right who fired past bemused keeper Josh Heyburn to create the biggest cheer of the evening. 1-3 Shoreham.

For the remaining 20 mins both sides had further chances with first visitors DaMario firing straight at keeper Jackson, then the youngster brilliantly diving to his right to keep out another thunderbolt from the same player, further excursions by Saunders and then Major bought no further changes to the scoreboard as the game finished. FT 1-3 Shoreham.

Team: Seb Bos (Sam Jackson), Matt Gates, Ben Simester, Aaron Denver (Tom Saunders), Scott Johnston, Andy Goodwin, Mo Shuga'a (Ciaran Steers), Ryan Fletcher, Steve Major, Josh Alcock, Matt Burroughs.

Sussex Carpet Centre MOM: Matt Burroughs Attn: 132.