Back into the side came skipper Kerry Parsons and Jack Boxall in place of Ollie Pickup and Craig Knowles respectively, with the latter dropping to the bench. Alfie Gritt returned on the bench. Mo Shugg'a and Paul Kennett still unavailable.
On a warm and sunny afternoon and in front of another sizable Shooting Field (and with a 2pm KO to accomodate a 4.30 Reserve fixture) before KO a 'guard-of-honor' was formed by the players to acknowledge the crowning of Worthing United as Division Two champions for 2014-15.
The match got underway and we started brightly and a few minutes in Chad Milner broke away to play in Lewis Levoi coming into their box, who struck a great shot which produced a fine save from United keeper Matt Grimstone. Direct from the resulting corner Kris Harding also nearly gave us the lead with in 'in-swinger' that struck the inside of the far post and bounced straight back to Grimstone.
United then got forward and made some penetration when Div Two leading scorer Sam Blundell burst into our box to square to Wayne Joseph who shot tamely at Aaron Jeal.
However, we kept plugging away and a through ball from Lee Early sent Harding clear to lob the keeper and graze the outside of the left upright.
On twenty minutes though, the visitors went ahead when Paul Elliott broke way down the right to play a square pass into Wayne Joseph, who somehow remained on-side to slot past Jeal. 1-0 to Worthing.
United then started to get on top but we continued to battle as we tried to get back into the match. Harding went close again shooting narrowly wide when put through.
Near the break Blundell broke clear and shot just over for the visitors.
Lewis Levoi picked up a yellow card for a foul on United's Philpott. Half time - Steyning 0 Worthing Utd 1
The second-half did not start terribly well for us and on fifty-one minutes an Elliott cross from the left was knocked back by Joseph for Jacob Schilt to net from close range. 2-0 to Worthing.
Five minutes later United extended their lead further when Elliott broke down the right to cross for an unmarked Blundell to tap in. 3-0 to Worthing.
We still kept at it however with Lee Early eager down the left and on sixty-two Milner was fouled just outside their box. Chad coolly stepped up for the resulting free-kick and curled the ball nicely over their 'wall' just inside the left post to put us back in it. 1-3.
To freshen things up in pursuit, John put on Rob Clark, Craig Knowles and Alfie Gritt in place of Early, Harding and Levoi and for a while we looked the far more likely side to score again.
Some strong running from all three subs gave the United rear-guard plenty to do. Chad held the ball up well in their box to lay off for Knowles to shoot at Grimstone, a minute later Clarky produced another good save after some more good more from Chad and from the resulting corner a neat flick from Alfie nearly crept in at the near post.
Towards the end Aaron saved well at full stretch from Elliott.
Unfortunately in the second minute of extra time a through pass from United's Hayward sent Elliott through to slot home their fourth.
A shame, because the result did not always reflect the true pattern of play.
Final score - Steyning 1 Worthing United 4
After the match on the pitch Nigel Geary and his players were presented with the Division Two Championship trophy as they look forward to life in Division One next season.
For us though a spirited performance against a very good side and with a bit more 'lady luck' could maybe have got a bit more out of the equation. Hopefully we can finish the season in fine style when we travel to AFC Uckfield next Saturday for our final first-team fixture of 2014-15.
And to finish with, WELL DONE to the Reserves who followed Saturday's match with an excellent 3-0 win over Haywards H Res, giving their Res Premier survival prospects a major boost!

Town line-up Jeal, Hare, Parsons (capt), Towse, Finch, Dodd, Early (Knowles), Boxall, Harding (A Gritt), Levoi (Clark), Chad Milner Unused subs - S Gritt, Curt Milner

Ref - Steve Walker Assts - Alex Smith & Callum Tulley