Eastbourne Borough moved up to third in the National League South standings after a hard-fought 1-0 win away at St Albans City.
Kai Innocent struck a superb volley in the first half as the Sports secured all three points at Clarence Park, with the hosts having Jack James sent off before the break.
In a game of few opportunities, Adam Murray’s side held on to wrap up an important away win and move up the league table – still two points behind joint leaders Truro City and Worthing.
The Sports made three changes to the side that beat Weymouth last weekend, including a return to the starting line up for skipper Brad Barry, as well as Michael Klass and Pierce Bird.
It was a physical start to the game at Clarence Park as both teams looked to get on the front foot.
It was the hosts who went close inside ten minutes when former Borough loanee Alfie Bendle ran across the front post to meet a corner from the left, but his header went just over.
Borough then forced a couple of corners themselves, but without really testing Michael Johnson before the visitors had half a chance. Jack Clarke whipped in a free kick from the left and picked out Camron Gbadebo at the far post, but under pressure his downward header went wide.
The Sports were enjoying more possession as they looked to break down the St Albans defence, and it took something special to do just that on the half hour mark.
A cross in was headed away as far as Innocent just inside the area, and he took the ball on the volley and his left footed strike picked out the top corner – his third goal of the campaign.
Just two minutes later, St Albans were reduced to ten men. Clarke took a heavy touch in midfield and pipped Jack James to the ball before getting chopped down by the home defender, who was shown a straight red card for the challenge.
As a result, Borough looked to dominate possession as they game approached half-time, but didn’t really create a clear opening. Jayden Davis had his cross deflected behind for a corner, before Innocent’s low ball in was deflected off a defender and into the arms of Michael Johnson.
St Albans, needing the points themselves in their bid for survival, looked to threaten after the break, although Harrison Smith’s header went wide as he met a free-kick in from the left.
The Sports made a double change on the hour mark, and almost had an instant impact as substitute Yahaya Bamba was played through on goal, but he was denied by a superb stop from Johnson.
David Sesay and Jason Adigun then combined on the right-hand side before the latter fired a low ball across that somehow evaded George Alexander in the centre as the Sports looked to get on the offensive.
However, Borough were then dealt a blow when Barry was forced off after a lengthy delay after clearing a corner, with the Sports skipper appearing to have a shoulder injury on his way off.
With ten added minutes as a result, the Sports had their hearts in their mouths when the hosts had a chance to draw level. A cross in from the right eventually dropped to Bendle, but Joe Wright recovered to make a fine stop at his near post.
The final whistle soon sounded to confirm all three points for the Sports, and with three games to go the twists and turns continue.
