East Preston picked up three valuable points on Saturday afternoon against play-off chasing Reigate Priory in the Southern Combination Division One.

A fairly balanced opening ten minutes with neither side stamping their authority on the game suddenly burst into life. Out of nowhere EP striker Zion McLeod broke the deadlock direct from a corner, the kind of effort nobody sees coming, sailing untouched into the net whilst players and fans alike looked on in disbelief.

That early goal lifted the home side who began to look the brighter as Priory struggled to settle. Gradually though, they grew into the game controlling the possession and peppering the EP box with chances.

Despite their pressure though they couldn’t find a way past Matt Gibb, who stood firm between the sticks, Reigate had racked up four or five good efforts but the home side had the lead at the break.

The second half began as the first ended with Priory on top, A rare EP attack led to a debateable free kick but nothing came of that. Back came Reigate again with a move that led to the equaliser, a superb fingertip save onto the bar from Gibb saw the rebound fall kindly to Lee Peacock who levelled the scores.

The visitors kept up the pressure hitting the bar and forcing Gibb into another fine save, the EP rear guard tested to it’s limits as Priory went searching for the winner.

Then came the twist in the tale. A quick Reigate free kick broke kindly for McLeod, the shot at goal parried back to the striker who swung the ball back across goal for local lad Leo Stringer to show composure and steer the ball home much to the delight of the Lashmar crowd and seal the point for the home side.

Next Saturday, EP travel to Worthing Utd whilst Reigate Priory host Loxwood, both kick off at 3pm.