A goal six minutes from time from a deflected shot secured all three points for Peacehaven at the Unibet Arena. In an excellent match between two sides who played some great attacking football the points went to the home side with the late winner.

Manager Bob Paine made one enforced change to the side that beat Three Bridges last week when Ryan Quirke was recalled after being ill last week to replace Jacob Parazo who was not well.

East Preston had to defend for long periods of the first half but always looked dangerous on the quick counter attack causing the Peacehaven defence numerous problems.

The first big chance for EP came on 22 mins when Dan Huet was put through by Quirke and with Michael Waller to his left Huet decided to go alone and Aga in the Peacehaven goal came out to smother the ball. A minute later Peacehaven struck the post through LeGrange and the ball rebounded to safety.

The breakthrough for the home side came on 39 mins when a cross came in from the right and Levy beat Josh Parazo to the ball and Levy’s header looped over Ben Purkis into the net.

Half Time: 0-1

The second half started as the first with Peacehaven having a lot of the ball, but it was East Preston who drew level after a great move with good work from Lukas Franzen-Jones on the right and his cross found Waller (pictured) in some space just inside the box and his cool finish, scoring his first goal for EP after signing from Horsham FC, levelled the scores which was no more that the away side deserved.

Waller had another chance 5 mins later, after a great cross from Barnes from the left, and his sharp shot just went the wrong side of the post. EP were playing their best football of the match and were having more of the ball. On 75 mins EP had the ball in the net through Ollie Stevenson but he was adjudged to be offside, a very tight decision.

The game was building to a fantastic climax as both sides went for the three points. LeGrange had a header which was cleared off the line by Parazo and EP’s goalkeeper, Ben Purkis, made two outstanding saves in quick succession firstly from Burtons arrowed header which he pushed round the post for a corner. Moments later he saved to his right to keep the scores level. EP were well in the game and were playing some great football and piling on the pressure as they looked for the all important winning goal.

The deciding goal came on 84 mins when LeGrange hit a shot from 20 yards which hit Tom Lyne and deflected into the left side of the goal with Purkis committed to his right. EP then pushed in the final few minutes for a way back into the game and had a free kick 20 yards out, but Franzen-Jones shot hit the wall.

Manager Bob Paine said ‘I could not have asked any more from the players today. It was a fantastic game of football for the spectators both sides wanting to play good attacking football. Another harsh lesson for us with a deflected shot deciding the match with all our efforts coming to nothing. We certainly deserved at least a point. The real plus for me is we have played the top two in the last three weeks and put in two excellent performances and in between beat Three Bridges so lots to be positive about’.

Team: Ben Purkis, Josh Parazo, Jack Barnes, Ollie Stevenson, Tom Lyne, Josh Etherington, Luke Brodie (Hunter 80mins), Lukas Franzen-Jones, Dan Huet, Ryan Quirke, Michael Waller (Heryet 85 mins)
Subs: Chris Cook, Matt Searle, Hayden Hunter, Jake Heryet