Eastbourne Town came back from a two goal deficit to claim a point in a six goal thriller with a rejuvenated Hastings Utd side.

The visitors to The Saffrons were in front with just two minutes on the clock. New signing Rushaar Samuel-Smikle crossed from the left for fellow new boy James Stone to tap home, Stone’s first goal in Hastings colours and coming against his former side.

Town levelled the scores just three minutes later as Aaron Capon netted his fourth goal of the season, a curled left footed strike from the edge of the box leaving Harry Howes motionless.

However, Hastings were ahead again with less than ten minutes on the clock. After Stone was fouled between the penalty area and corner flag, the resulting free kick was headed home by Sam Pidgeon.

After a period of relative calm, the visitors went further ahead just past the half hour mark, Alfie Hilden finished clinically past Chris Winterton to make it 3-1.

A minute later, Town had another one back. A free kick into the Hastings box wasn’t dealt with and Alfie Rogers smashed the ball home, Utd with a now slender half time lead.

The second half saw chances at both ends, Hastings with a header cleared off the line while Joe Overy went close for the hosts with a fizzing shot just over the bar.

But with ten minutes remaining, an emphatic strike from Rogers through a group of defenders managed to rattle the post, but cross to line to draw Town level.

Both sides might feel they did enough to win the game, but the draw was probably a fair reflection. Hastings have taken seven points and scored ten goals from three games under new manager David Alterndorff, having only picked up nine points in thirteen games prior to his arrival.

Town meanwhile remain in the top half of the table having lost just once in their last five games. This coming Saturday, Eastbourne host struggling VCD Athletic whilst Hastings Utd head to Kent to take on play-off chasing Herne Bay (both ko’s 3.03pm).

Courtesy of Chris Prior.