SOUTH Park were put to the sword at home by a classy Burgess Hill Town side tonight (Tuesday) as the visitors ran out 4-1 winners at Whitehall Lane.
Park found themselves 2-0 down after 12 minutes after Pat Harding pounced on a mistake by defender Dan Guscott, before Rob O'Toole tapped in from close range following some more poor defending from the hosts.
And Park never really recovered from that as the Hillians controlled possession and outfought the hosts, pinning Park back inside their own half.
The visitors were rewarded for their dominance with a third goal before the break, with Greg Luer speeding down the right wing and delivering an inch perfect cross for Scott Kirkwood to head home past James Wastell.
Park did come out stronger after half time and looked to have found a way back into the match on 54 minutes as Joe Jackson's shot deflected in off a defender, leaving Burgess Hill goalkeeper Josh James with no chance.
But just as it looked like they might get back into it, the Hillians snuffed out any such hope with a fourth goal just two-and-a-half minutes later.
Again, it came from some poor defending from the hosts as they failed to deal with a cross, but once again it was a fine finish from Harding, who needed just two touches to control the ball and then rifle home past Wastell.
Burgess Hill continued to have the better chances after that as Will Miles and Lee Harding were both denied by saves from Wastell, while Hillians substitute Dan Perry should have made it five when he headed wide with the goal gaping.
However, it remained 4-1 as South Park suffered a third league defeat of the season, while Burgess Hill moved level on points with Chipstead at the top of the table, but ahead on goals scored.
Chipstead do, however, have two games in hand.
