The rain just about held off during the times of play as the Reds made the short venture west to entertain Kevin Rayner’s side, as Chris Agutter named a strong XI following his side’s progression to the FA Cup First Round Proper on Saturday afternoon:

There were 77 places between the two sides but as those who streamed away from the floodlit surroundings and into the West Sussex darkness, you’d have probably thought it would be a slightly lower figure.

For East Preston were resilient, unflagging and defiant in their defeat. A first half that Worthing controlled, yet the hosts had chances. A second half were Worthing pulled away, but the hosts kept plugging.

It took 11 minutes for the netting to rustle: Temi Babalola earning a start and proving a point, prodding home the rebound after he’d powered Sam Packham’s fine delivery off the crossbar.

Ollie Starkey looked lively and Tommy Willard, too, bouncing about in the centre of the park, making things happen. He brought the vibes and would be celebrating later on, but in the opening half he was a crucial component as the catalyst in attack.

But the lead was almost lost as the half-hour mark beckoned. Chris Haigh had to be at his very best to palm a vicious free-kick onto the foot of the post, preserving the lead as his side started to form further chances of their own.

Harrison Smith cranked the crossbar moments after seeing a shot brilliantly blocked with time ticking towards the interval.

The second half commenced with a renewed Rebel intensity. They came shimmering out of the traps. A neat move minutes after the restarted presented Willard with the ball bearing down on the box. A twist and a turn permitted room for the shot, and a hefty deflection takes it beyond the stranded, helpless ‘keeper.

Then the third arrived. Jack Bates drilled a divine half volley towards goal that cannoned off a defender, finding the feet of Smith whose eyes lit up. Soon he had nothing but the goal and the goalkeeper in his way, and the finish was consummate: straight into the corner.

The subs arrived, and a debut for Danny Jordan as he’d earn a full 30 minutes or so. Before the next round of switches a fourth goal arrived, via the penalty spot, in favour of the hosts.

The forward was brought down and the referee waited no time at all in pointing to the spot. Sending Haigh the wrong way, the lead was slimmed, though the wide margin remained.

It prompted a triple change as Agutter unleashed his weapons: Glen Rea, Jack Spong and Danny Cashman seeing minutes as the Rebels looked to seal their fate into the next round of a second competition in the space of three days.

Joel Colbran entered the pitch and clipped the top of the crossbar with a delicious dipping effort near the end. The referee called time on the tie, and the Rebels’ quest to the AMEX moved one step closer.