Substitute Ollie Davies came off the bench and hit the winning goal as his strike secured three points on an emotional day for Burgess Hill Town Football Club.

News had broke the day before that sadly Club President Peter Miles had passed away and the announcement hit a lot of people at the Club very hard. There was a minutes silence perfectly observed and both teams wore black armbands.

Joint managers Gary Mansell and Jay Lovett made three changes from the midweek draw with Sheppey United. Nathan Cooper, Bobby Price and Martyn Box coming in for Alex Malins, Reggie Ward and Ollie Davies. There was also a return on the bench for Ryan Worrall who had been sidelined with injury since October.

The visiting Hillians had a couple of early chances. Firstly Ben Pope’s header missing the target from Box’s free kick. Chris Whelpdale put a corner just over and Vukoje’s shot was tipped over by Alfie Hadfield.

Both sides had chances midway through the first half as Vukoje fired over for the Hill before Heath counter at pace and forced Slav Huk into a great low save.

Before half time Box crosses for Pope, he flicks it on and Vukoje forces Hadfield into a save which we can’t tuck in the rebound as the sides went in level at the break.

The Hillians took just six minutes to break the deadlock with a brilliant move. Hill work it from left to right and Hamish Morrison whips it in and Whelpdale gets his head on it to guide it into the corner.

The lead lasted just 12 minutes though as a ball over the top sees a Bear run in a straight line and cut it back for Callum Dowdell to slam home.

There were few chances for either side but great play between Whelpdale and sub Dan Perry sees the striker have half a yard and he rockets one which hits the GK and flies away.

The Hill got their winner with 12 minutes remaining when a brilliant turn and ball from Vukoje slipped in sub Davies who slips it through the GKs legs to make it 2-1.

Hill nearly extended their lead as Harry Lawson gets in down the right and his cross finds Ward who sees his shot blocked before Perry has a header saved.

The Bears pressed for an equaliser at the end but Hill stayed strong. A shot from the right was deflected wide before a pot shot went inches wide. The hosts screamed for a penalty right at then but Adam Adam was booked for a dive.

The final whistle sounded and the Hillians won the points on a sad day for BHTFC as Hill remain in fourth and closed the gap on third place Margate.

That win was for you Peter.

Hill: Slav Huk, Hamish Morrison, Bobby Price, Nathan Cooper (Ryan Worrall 55), Marcus Allen, Harry Lawson, Stefan Vukoje (Reggie Ward 83), Kieran Rowe, Ben Pope (Dan Perry 67), Chris Whelpdale (Brannon O’Neill 87), Martyn Box (Ollie Davies 67).