Hythe's Ryman League Division 1 South play-off dream was shattered by rampant Worthing on Tuesday night.

There was just one point between the two sides after 46 league games - but they were miles apart during 90 minutes of dramatic play-off action.

Three goals came late on when Hythe were reduced to 10 men, but by then their season had already met its sorry end.

The home side got off to a dream start in the 10th minute. Hythe skipper Adam Morrish's foul on Ben Pope earned him a yellow card and gave away a free-kick. The ball into the box saw Gary Elphick head against the crossbar at the far post and Omar Bugiel reacted quickest to turn home the loose ball.

It was nearly 2-0 two minutes later but keeper Joe Mant got down well to turn behind Jordan Maguire-Drew's low right-foot shot.

Worthing did claim a second on 18 minutes, however. A left-wing corner was met by Elphick, whose header was only half cleared. The ball went to Maguire-Drew on the edge of the area and he produced a delightful chip into the far corner.

The hosts could have had the tie wrapped up in the first half-hour but Pope sent his effort over the bar when left free at the far post.

Hythe's front three of Alfie May, Jack Harris and Frankie Sawyer were left feeding off scraps. While the visitors came into the contest before the break, they never seriously tested keeper Rikki Banks.

With manager Clive Cook's half-time team-talk still ringing in their ears, Hythe were left stunned by a third Worthing goal on 49 minutes.

The superb Bugiel led a breakaway and found Zack Newton in plenty of space on the edge of the area. His low shot went through the legs of keeper Mant.

Bugiel was then denied by the impressive Mant and Maguire-Drew shot wide as Worthing continued to pile forward.

They grabbed a fourth just before the hour mark when referee Michael Webb decided Mant had not been impeded at a corner, and Elphick got the goal his aerial power deserved on the evening.

Hythe substitute Jon Pilbeam forced a fine save from Banks with virtually his first touch but it was at the other end where the chances continued to flow - Mant saving well to deny Pope on more than one occasion.

It went from bad to worse for Hythe as Nick Reeves saw red for taking out Pope as he raced clear on goal. A red card saw Hythe reduced to 10 men before Pope's 78th-minute spot-kick made it 5-0.

Five quickly became six as the excellent Maguire-Drew curled home a superb free-kick from 25 yards and then Bugiel raced clear to make it 7-0 on 84 minutes as 10-man Hythe crumbled at the back.

Hythe: Mant, Hood, Burchell, Mahoney (Botterill 60mins), Cloke, Reeves, Cook, Morrish (Pilbeam 63mins), Sawyer (Wilson 72mins), May, Harris. Subs not used: Sprosen, Walker.

Worthing: Banks, Hendon, Metcalf, Bugiel (Edwards 85mins), Elphick, Heath, Drew, O'Neill (Axell 60mins), Pope, Newton (Piper 72mins), Sparks. Subs not used: Fagan, Quirke.

Attendance: 948.