An equaliser deep into injury time secured Eastbourne Utd a point in a classic derby night fixture under the Polegrove lights on Wednesday evening.

A healthy midweek crowd of 153 saw Utd take the lead after only five minutes with former Pirates player Ollie Hull finishing cleanly when space opened up for him in the early exchanges.

Bexhill came back strongly and benefitted from the return of influential skipper Richie Welch and left winger Ryan Moir. Utd keeper Alex Hobden was kept busy and the referee waved away at least one strong penalty shout for the home side as the play ebbed and flowed up and down the park.

Eastbourne went into the break one up and nearly doubled their lead soon after the interval when a speculative cross pinged off the Bexhill bar but it was the Pirates who were celebrating a few minutes later when a brilliant chip from Jack Shonk into the box saw Charlie Playford finish with a skilfully placed header over Hobden.

Bexhill were now firing on all cylinders and the introduction of the experienced striker Nathan Crabb, signed earlier in the week, brought fresh impetus as they sought a winner. Within minutes of coming on Crabb went close with a header and was causing mayhem leading the line.

The striker that gave the home side the lead on 77 minutes was yet another early contender for goal of the season, a great delivery from Shonk into the box was cleared out as far as Max Hollobone and from 20 yards out he bent the ball into the top corner.

Eastbourne however weren’t done just yet and put the Pirates goal under some serious pressure as the minutes ticked down. In injury time Halsey came close to an equaliser, a warning shot for Bexhill as on 95 minutes Mo Huchu did grab the leveller after a goal mouth scramble.

A great advert for the Southern Combination Premier Division but disappointment for the Pirates having turned round the early deficit.

Bexhill’s next home game on Saturday 4th October is a day for cheap football, the club cutting admission prices in order to attract a bigger crowd than usual under the banner of ‘Football For A Fiver.’

Courtesy of Geoff Morris.