Eastbourne Town 2 v 2 VCD Athletic

FA Cup Preliminary Round

PLAYING for an hour with 10 men VCD built and then squandered a two-goal lead against Sussex League title favourites Eastbourne Town.

Eastbourne enjoyed most of the possession in the first half, playing with a gale force wind behind them, but rarely troubled Grant Wallis in the visitors' goal.

With defender Lee Coburn in inspired form VCD soaked up the pressure and created chances of their own with Ashley Probets and Mark Greatorex going closest.

Then came the talking point of the first half as Mark Horan was adjudged to have caught an Eastbourne player in the face with his elbow.

The referee gave VCD the free-kick but gave Horan a straight red card.

Despite the set back, VCD reached the break still on eqaul terms.

VCD boss Martin Ford re-shuffled his pack at half-time to accommodate the dismissal and an injury to David Hunt.

If Eastbourne thought the second half was going to be a formality they were mistaken when VCD took the lead.

A three-man move involving Danny Penny and Greatorex created space for Kevin Winchcombe to unleash a 25-yard strike in the corner of the net and stun the 269 crowd.

VCD increased the lead from the penalty spot after Greatorex was upended in the box - Probets the grateful scorer.

Eastbourne made their own changes and put four up front in an effort to claw back some pride.

They got the breakthrough with eight minutes left and then grabbed an equaliser to send the match to a replay on Thursday (September 7) at Welling United's ground, kick-off: 7.30pm.

Ford said: "We had to re-group after the sending off but were superb up to the last 10 minutes when we switched off for a few seconds.

"Eastbourne were a good team and I can see why many people are tipping them for league honours.

"We face a difficult replay on Thursday with almost half the side missing due to suspension or holiday."

Ford is without keeper Wallis, Gary Ward, Greatorex, Coburn and Horan.

MATCH FACTS: VCD: Wallis, Edwards, Foley, Coburn, Hunt (Abbott), Horan, Spriggs, Winchcombe, Probets, Penny, Greatorex.

SUBS NOT USED: Ratchford, Ramirez, Hogg, Minshull.