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Eastbourne Borough faced Crawley Town for the 2nd time this season, this time at the neutral venue of The Dripping Pan. Dean Lightwood made his 1st start for several seasons in goal but the Boro side was sufficiently strong to face and test the Blue Square Premier side as ‘The Sports’ bid for a SSC final berth.
Andy Atkin volleyed direct at Ashley Bayes on 5 minutes and apart from Matt Crabb shot on 40 minutes Boro spent most of the opening 45 minutes on the back foot. On 12 minutes Lightwood was beaten to the ball by and advancing striker and the Boro stopper brought the striker down to concede an early penalty. Jon-Paul Pittman, however, was unable to beat ‘Deano’ as his low shot was saved to keep the scores level. Indeed Boro had much to thank their keeper for as he made save after save with Pittman, Lee Blackburn and Pierre Joseph-Dubois were all to waste chances for ‘The Red Devils’.
Matt Crabbs introduction and subsequent reshuffle of the side heralded Boro forcing their way into the game and the 2nd half definitely belonged to ‘The Sports’. Boro dominated early on and Crabb free-kick on 67 minutes only needed a touch to open the scoring but Boro would rue the missed chance as 2 minutes later Pittman received a long-ball and fired home low across Lightwood for 1-0.
Boro made changes with Evan Archibald replacing Atkin and despite much pressure Bayes was only seriously threatened in stoppage time when an Andy Ballard close range effort required a point blank block before Mr Meilack blew time.
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