Penalty drama settles it

LEISTON and Eastbourne Borough will have to do it all again after a cracking cup-tie at Victory Road. Both goals came in the final three minutes and both from the penalty spot although Leiston will feel they did enough to win the tie.

Leiston created the better openings in the first half with Eastbourne keeper Charlie Horlock making a fine telling save to deny Byron Lawrence whilst the visitors defence were continually at full stretch to repel the home advances who attacked in numbers.

Early in the second period home keeper Jacob Marsden made two fine fingertip saves to deny Elliott Romain and then Tom Murphy following a corner, while his opposite number Horlock thwarted Jack Ainsley and substitute Joe Francis who also saw an effort whistle just wide.

The visitors were getting in some timely blocks to protect their goal before the deadlock was finally broken on 87 minutes.

The lively Romain raced onto Gareth Heath’s underhit back pass before being upended by Marsden in the home goal with substitute Nathaniel Pinney confidently scoring the resulting penalty.

Leiston deservedly drew level three minutes later when substitute Regan Pelling was fouled inside the box by Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ainsley stroked home.

STAR MAN: Byron Lawrence (Leiston) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★