All credit must go to the lads for a terrific display against a side two leagues above where they were very unlucky and at times indeed looked the better side.

We fielded a strong side with the only changes from Saturday's match against Saltdean on the bench, with Ollie Pickup and Ollie Hartley coming in for George McMahon and cup tied Jordan Peskett.

Despite heavy rain earlier in the day the East Court pitch was in good nick and without a howling gale for once playing conditions were good.

We started under the cosh and a few minutes in rode our lucky a little when Wasps frontman Hassan Jalloh shot over the bar from close range.

We stood up to them though, snapping into the tackles and trying to get forward and hit them on the break. A chance came when Lee Garnham won the ball off a defender and played in Rob Clark who unfortunately dragged his shot just wide of right.

A minute later though a pile driver from the lively Jalloh rocked our left upright and on 20 they went ahead. Dan Gainsford gave away a free-kick with a foul just outside our box and again it was Jalloh who stepped up to hit the kick low through the wall and in off a post to give the Wasps the lead. 1-0.

We kept our composure and tried to get back in the game with Garnham, Clark, Lewis Levoi and Craig Knowles all working hard. Shaun Skipper went close with a good low attempt palmed away by their keeper Taylor.

They however were quick up front with Jalloh, Gnhoare and Miller combining well but we defended resolutely with good work from Gainsford, Matt Dodd, Kerry Parsons and Ash Finch. Gainsford really saved our bacon with a solid last ditch tackle on Gnhoare when through on goal and almost certain to score.

Half time - East Grinstead 1 Town 0

In the second-half, after absorbing some early pressure we settled and really started to get our teeth into the game. We seemed to get the run of the ball more and looked dangerous going forward. For a considerable spell we were the more dominant side. We created chances and came within an ace of equalizing when Clarky worked his way in to shoot for goal, producing a one handed save from Taylor but straight into the path of Levoi whose point blank range shot was blocked on the line by a single Wasps defender.

On 58 minutes though it looked like we'd 'had it' when Grinstead increased their lead. A 'pot shot' from Mahoney took a nasty deflection and crept in off the right post. 2-0.

Substitutions were made with Rob Hare, Ollie Hartley and Lee Early replacing Skipper, Levoi and Parsons respectively. The fresh legs served to keep the momentum going as we sought to get back into it. Indeed the hosts hit our woodwork again but we were not to be deterred, passing the ball well and smartly and on 84 minutes got our reward asLee Garnham forced his way into their box to slot under their keeper to halve the deficit. 2-1.

The goal gave us a huge surge of adrenaline and rattled our hosts. For the final minutes we had them on the ropes as we battered their goal mouth in pursuit of an equalizer and extra time. Ash Elms put one just over, Ollie Hartley hit a great long range effort that dipped wickedly just too high, then Knowles shot at the keeper and the rebound fell for Clarky to be dramatically denied by an outstreched keepers arm right on their goal line! Gainsford also had an effort well saved and Knowles shot narrowly wide after cutting in from the left. It was like the Alamo and the panic on the hosts bench was very evident to see!

Unfortunately though, it was not to be. But another spirited and brave Cup performance against higher League opposition and away from home as well. Well done and hard luck lads!

Saturday - home to Haywards Heath in the League. Final score on the night - East Grinstead 2 Town 1

Town line up - Rose, Finch, Parsons (Early), Elms, Dodd, Gainsford, Knowles, Levoi (Hartley), Garnham, Clark, Skipper (Hare) Unused subs - Pickup, Asseffi

Ref - Michael Ryan Assts - Jonathon Walker & Thomas Moore