It was a tough night for Phoenix Sport as they fell to defeat against high-flying East Grinstead Town.

An own goal and a saved penalty proved costly for the Sports who played some good football without reward.

They got off to a disastrous start conceding in just the second minute. A corner was half cleared as far as Louie Theophanus and he thrashed home his tenth goal of the season.

Kweku Ansah had the hosts’ first chance at the end of a good free flowing move but he could only blast into the side netting then Zak Bryon headed just wide from a corner.

Byron came even closer shortly afterwards when Alex Gaggin gave him the opportunity to let fly and his twenty-yarder crashed back off the crossbar. Another good Phoenix move ended when the Wasps’ goalkeeper Jacob Adams was out quickly to save from Ansah.

However, it was not all one way and Jerry Amoo got on the end of quick break but fired just beyond the far post. Steve Phillips then had to save with his feet to keep out Theophanous when the Sports made a mess of a clearance.

Daniel Thompson had a header saved easily by Phillips but Phoenix continued to play good football and a move of around twenty-five passes ended when Lewis Clark over-hit his cross.

Trying to play the ball out from the back proved costly to the Sports just before the half hour mark. Ryan Andrews played a back pass to Phillips and it bounced awkwardly but should have been kept out and it went past him and into the net.

Bryon was again off target from Gaggin’s pull back before Phoenix finally netted their first home goal of the season. A deep corner was met by a firm Danny Young header that gave Adams no chance. Gaggin had one last chance in the half but his low shot from wide was saved.

Soon after the break, Phoenix were awarded a penalty. Ansah was brought down but after a long wait, Ainsley Everett’s spot kick was unconvincing and Adams got down to smother it.

At the other end Phillips made a great reaction save as Thompson’s header bounced up towards goal.

Everett then set up Lauris Chin but he was unable to get a clean shot in. Gaggin had a first time shot tipped over after a deep free kick was half cleared then former Bromley and Welling United midfielder Danny Waldren came to the Wasps’ rescue by turning Everett’s dangerous free kick around the far post.

There were late half chances for both teams. Substitute George Whitelock was off target for Phoenix and Theophanous stabbed just wide at the other end.

Defeat dropped Phoenix one place down the league to fifteenth whilst East Grinstead leap-frogged VCD Athletic into second place.

Phoenix Sports: Phiilips, R. Andrews, Clark, Bryon, Young, Fitchett, Gaggin (Dyer 88), Aziaya, Chin, Everett (Bird 85), Ansah (Whitelock 85).

Subs not used: Dythe, O. Andrews.

Goalscorers: Young (35)

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None

East Grinstead Town: Adams, Clohessy, Wedgeworth, Beckles (Uwezua 56), Gasson, Reardon, Sawogo, Waldren, Theophanous, Thompson (Uchechi 66), Amoo (Omrore 81).

Subs not used: Harrison, Smith.

Goalscorers:Theopanous (2), R. Andrews o.g. (29)

Yellow cards: Waldren

Red cards: None

Referee: Robert Clausen

Assistants: Kennedy Kikulwe and Ronald Albert

Attendance: 92