Newhaven are through to the quarter-final of the John O’Hara League Cup after a narrow 1-0 win against Storrington on Tuesday evening.

The Dockers will now travel to Ringmer, in the last-eight, after this tight victory against their Division Two opponents.

The only goal of the tie came after just 17 minutes when Lee Robinson headed in a Tyler Goatcher cross.

Swans goalkeeper Gary Elliott kept his side in the game with some important stops and the hosts will be disappointed not to have tested Jake Buss more when they pushed forward.

Newhaven manager Paul Harrison made five changes to the side that started the weekend draw at Pagham.

Connor Jones, Daniel Murray, Terry Gacias, James Rhodes and Joe Dryer came in for Jason Goddard, Adam Kneller, Scott Edwards, Chris Geer and Jack Webber. Goddard and Geer joined Joe McTiffen and James Holman on the bench.

An early 7.15pm kick off at Storrington Rec meant players were late arriving, and therefore only a short warm-up was possible.

This resulted in Ryan Knight picking up a hamstring injury with the game just minutes old. Knight was replaced by Goddard as the Dockers had to make an early reshuffle.

The Dockers had the best of the early chances with Goatcher striking the post and Robinson firing wide and then being denied by Elliott.

The home side looked threatening, though, and saw a couple of efforts fly narrowly wide from good positions.

The deadlock was broken after 17 minutes. A Goatcher corner was cleared back to him and his second attempt found the head of an unmarked Robinson, who nodded past Elliott.

The match then became a fairly even contest. Robinson was again thwarted by Elliott, after a long ball forward from Buss, and then blazed wide when well positioned.

The new-look Dockers defence had to be alert to the lively Storrington attack, who failed to force Buss in to a meaningful save.

It was the same story in the second half. Robinson had another effort saved by the impressive Elliott, after being found by James Rhodes.

Jayson Sowter got on the end of a Rhodes corner but his header was blocked on the line and Goatcher couldn’t quite get to the rebound.

Up the other end there was a near-miss when a ball across the Newhaven box evaded everyone and was turned wide at the back post.

There was still time for a close range Goatcher effort to be saved by Elliott and another nearly moment for the hosts when Joe Warner couldn’t quite reach a cross from the right.

Newhaven: Jake Buss, Connor Jones, Daniel Murray, Terry Gacias, Ryan Knight (Jason Goddard), Jayson Sowter, Lee Robinson, Sean Breach, Tyler Goatcher, James Rhodes (Chris Geer), Joe Dryer. Unused subs: Joe McTiffen, James Holman.
Booked: None

Attendance:
Referee: Ian Moore