Chichester City United edged through the Second Round of the John O'Hara League Cup with a narrow 2-1 victory over Crawley Down at Church Road on Saturday. Chi now face a trip to Ringmer in the next round.

A win is a win, but Chi were never at their best against a plucky Second Division side. With Matt Smith away on holiday, newcomer Lee Cole stepped into the side for his Chi debut and Darren Hickman made his first start of the season in place of the injured Ben Hitchman. Cole, a summer signing from Newport Isle of Wight slotted into the defensive midfield role with Hickman in the centre of the defence.

The changes didn't alter the Chi formation and there were plenty of chances created in the first period but without any real sign of the finishing power that overwhelmed East Preston in midweek. Russell Hardwell twice created good shooting positions but lacked venom with his final shot and Matt Heasman in the Crawley goal saved comfortably each time. Jamie Laidlaw hit one first time effort over the crossbar and Tony Stephens had another shot parried but the visiting 'keeper was hardly overworked.

At the other end Ben O'Connor was even less troubled but saved smartly at the feet of Jason Allen in an isolated breakaway and was relieved when the same player nodded his free header over the bar just before the interval.

One could imagine a few strong words of encouragement might have been in order at half time and Chi added a bit of urgency after the interval. Matt Baker cleared off the visitors line as Laidlaw and Paul Thomas tried to force home a loose ball from a Mark Jackson corner but it took another fifteen minutes before Chi took the lead. This time Hardwell picked out Neil Murfin on the edge of the penalty area and the Chi striker teed the ball up for a fierce dipping shot over Heasman into the roof of the net.

Chi should have been coasting now but Allen caused mayhem in the home defence to thump home an equaliser eight minutes later.

It was back to the drawing board for Chi but five minutes later Thomas restored their lead as Dave Connor clattered into the midfielder from behind to concede a hotly disputed penalty. Thomas duly tucked the spot kick into the corner of the net and Chi were back in control and seldom threatened again.