Frustrated Carden was dismissed, following a verbal volley in stoppage-time, by referee Barrie Small who also came under fire from Lingfield manager Dixie Dean, along with his assistants Stephen Johnson and Richard Sargeant, after several controversial decisions which the visitors felt cost them dearly eventually.

Yet Dean’s men had promised to upset the odds against high-flying Horsham YMCA and complete a league double against Peter Buckland’s side following an accomplished first-half performance, one of their best displays of the season so far, which had earned Lingers a 2-1 interval lead.

Dean’s homework in watching hosts Horsham YMCA beat Selsey 2-1 in league action only three days earlier along with club chairman Bill Blenkin, appeared to be set to pay dividends as Buckland’s men were outclassed surprisingly in the initial period.

Lingfield produced some of their most impressive team play this term, having earned a 17th minute lead when man of the match Joel O’Hara shot home, giving goalkeeper Sam Smith no chance, having been set up by experienced debutant striker signing from Three Bridges, Clinton Moore.

Livewire Lingers then soared into a 2-0 advantage after 36 minutes, centre back David Dean firing home at the near post from influential Dan Frith’s right-wing free-kick.

However, YMCA gained a crucial foothold in the game controversially after 44 minutes when Craig Grantham crossed from the left for Liam Hunter to finish first time at the far post past impressive youth team goalkeeper debutant Scott Millar. Despite appeals that the ball had gone out of play before being centred, the goal was allowed to stand, giving hope suddenly to the hosts.

Then the tables were turned following the break as the hosts equalised on 54 minutes, Grantham shooting home at the far post from Dave Brown’s pass.

After 65 minutes YMCA took the lead following Brown’s mazy unchallenged run and shot, punishing poor defence.

Ten minutes later Moore volleyed home the visitors’ well earned equaliser from close range at the far post following O’Hara’s cross from the left.

However, on 80 minutes, YMCA snatched success when Grantham showed superb skill to work his chance in front of goal and fire home.

In additional time O’Hara found Moore who rounded Smith and netted in vain, being denied another late leveller and being cautioned for ungentlemanly conduct following an apparent offside decision. Then came Carden’s departure to cap an agonising evening for the plucky visitors.