By Andrew Finch

In a game of precious few chances substitute Josh Uzun's terrific header won it for the visitors after Marlon Rodney had been sent off midway through the second half for two quickfire bookings.

The goal was the only effort on target either side mustered throughout the 90 minutes, and although there was a lack of quality on display in the final third, it was still a gritty and gutsy performance from the Moles that provided confirmation that they belong at this level.

The Moles were unchanged from the side that put seven past East Grinstead 48 hours earlier, and it was the visitors who had the better of the opening stages without seriously troubling Liam Allen.

Both Luke Elliott and Reis Stanislaus dragged efforts wide as the home side grew into the game, and Robb Sheridan nearly opened the scoring against his old side when he got on the end of James McShane's cross but could not turn his header goalwards from a tight angle.

Stefan Joseph put an effort wide for the visitors, who despite creating little had pace and power all over the park, carried a genuine goal threat, and had the game's outstanding player in Sekon Kaba.

Rodney was shown a deserved yellow for cynically tripping Kevant Serbony in full flight on the counter attack, and a considerably harsher one three minutes later for bringing down the same player.

The sending off didn't affect the flow of the game, which appeared to be petering out to a goalless draw until Uzun met Dave Hodges' cross and glanced a header beyond Allen into the far corner.

The Moles threw men forward in the closing stages and will be disappointed to have created so little against a keeper who came into the game carrying an injury, but can take heart from a positive start to the season as they prepare for another trip to Kent on Saturday to face Chatham Town.