Boswell's late strike rescues Hornets a point against Hastings

An injury-time Darren Boswell goal on his Horsham return helped them pinch a point against Hastings United on Saturday.
Horsham v Hastings United football action - Harry Stannard (claret & white kit) SUS-161127-210158002Horsham v Hastings United football action - Harry Stannard (claret & white kit) SUS-161127-210158002
Horsham v Hastings United football action - Harry Stannard (claret & white kit) SUS-161127-210158002

The winger came off the bench after a prolonged spell on the sidelines through illness injury and holiday to rescue a 1-1 draw at Gorings Mead in the South Division.

It saved Hornets from a third defeat in four match and gave Boswell and his manager Dominc Di Paola something to savour against their former employers, having spent a short spell at the Pilot Field in 2014.

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The late strike evened up Lewis Hyde’s first half own goal after The U’s spurned a number of opportunities to pull clear.

Horsham v Hastings United football action - Harry Stannard (claret number six) hits a shot which is cleared off the line SUS-161127-210146002Horsham v Hastings United football action - Harry Stannard (claret number six) hits a shot which is cleared off the line SUS-161127-210146002
Horsham v Hastings United football action - Harry Stannard (claret number six) hits a shot which is cleared off the line SUS-161127-210146002

Di Paola said: “We hung in there which was good as we have not done that very well this year. That was a positive as they are a good side. Considering where we have been in the last couple of weeks with player availability, it was just pleasing to get something out of the game.

“It was good to get a point, but the only trouble is looking at the table now after the way the last four games have gone, those reams below us have close the gap up. We had a bit of a cushion which has gone and we need to open that up again.”

On the day in which Horsham marked their 50th anniversary of their famous FA Cup tie against Swindon Town, it was Hastings that almost took an early lead as Harry Stannard headed against the underside of the bar from a corner and the ball was cleared.

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At the other end, Tom Lawley headed over the bar, while, after Hastings’ Kiernan Hughes-Mason shot wide, Barry Cogan’s attempt was intercepted by Ashley Jones.

Horsham v Hastings United football action - Harry Stannard (claret number six) hits a shot which is cleared off the line SUS-161127-210146002Horsham v Hastings United football action - Harry Stannard (claret number six) hits a shot which is cleared off the line SUS-161127-210146002
Horsham v Hastings United football action - Harry Stannard (claret number six) hits a shot which is cleared off the line SUS-161127-210146002

The visitors did take the lead on 19 minutes as Lewis Hyde slid in to turn Stannard’s cross into his own net.

Horsham started the second half well as a Lawley header went wide and Scott Kirkwood’s drive was palmed away by Ryan Nicholls.

Jack Harris had a good chance to put The U’s 2-0 up when he shot just wide under pressure, while Ollie Rowe’s header hit the bar.

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Late on Horsham looked to have missed a couple of late chances before Tiago Andrade won a free-kick on 94 minutes and it was played short to Boswell who struck through the wall and into the net.

Horsham: Pelling, Duncan, Jones, Hyde, Metcalf, Kirkwood, Branford, Axell, Downey, Lawley, Gill. Subs: Andrade, Boswell, Farmer, Harris.