Defeat to Dagenham would have been tough to take for Horsham FC boss

A 97th minute penalty from Hammond – after a moment of madness from ex-Hornets goalkeeper Sam Howes – cancelled out Joe Haigh’s first half opener to leave Horsham ninth in the National League South.

Di Paola said: “I thought we played really well. Even in the first half it was an even game.

“[Rhys] Murphy should have scored when he went clean through. I would have had money on Murphs scoring any one-v-ones. Murphs is lethal but the guy came back and got back into place to stop the goal.

“It would have been a tough defeat to take, so I’m really happy. Hats off to the boys. I can’t complain for once!

“I said to the boys after the game, if we’d lost tonight I would have been alright with it. We played some good stuff against a decent full-time team.

“They had two half-decent chances in 90 minutes. We probably had six, so we’ve got to be happy with that. Considering the calibre of team we faced, you have to be happy with that outcome.

“I think since Eastbourne Borough – so that’s Borough, Worthing, Chelmsford, Scunthorpe and Dagenham – we’ve been excellent. We’ve played really well in every game. We’ve got to be really happy with our spell.

“It’s not all gone perfectly. We’ve not got as many points as we should have done over that period but we’ve played well.

“And we’re creeping towards this point target. That’s slowed down a little bit now, but given what we’ve faced in the last two months I think it’s all we can do really.”

The Hornets dominated the second half as they looked to respond to Haigh’s 36th minute goal.

Reece Myles-Meekums hit the woodwork and Daggers keeper Howes made several top saves to deny the hosts.

But the former Horsham stopper was given his marching orders deep into stoppage time after kicking out at Jack Strange.

The referee pointed to the spot and Hammond duly slotted home the Hornets’ equaliser.

Di Paola continued: “As Strangey has tried to compete for the ball, I think Sam has got a bit excited because he made a couple of great saves.

“I know Sam well. Obviously he was with us and he’s a good lad, but I think he lost his head.

“It reminded me of the David Beckham-Diego Simeone one at the 1998 World Cup. It was very similar. You feel sorry for Beckham but you get why the ref has done it [sent him off]. It’s very similar to that.

“I think he [the ref] had to give it. I think it was a penalty and I think it was a red card.

“Sam had kept them in the game. He made two or three brilliant saves, but he’s just got done there – but we’ll take it. I think we merited at least a point.”

Horsham’s evening ended on a sour note as Soul Kader left the field after going down off the ball clutching his hamstring – and Di Paola didn’t have a positive prognosis for the Bromley loanee.

He said: “I think he’s completely snapped his hamstring. I think that’s going to be a couple of months, he’s going to be out. It’s a bit of a gutter.

“He’s been so unfortunate with us. He had a knee injury in his first training session, and he’s not been able to play. You feel for the lad.

“It kind of sums up our season in terms of injuries. We’ve got a boy we were keen to have a good look at and then he’s gone and got himself injured.”

Horsham visit Slough Town this Saturday and Enfield Town – who the Hornets were due to play last weekend – on Tuesday.

Jake Elliott and Shamir Fenelon are both back in contention for Horsham’s trip to Berkshire – but long-term absentees Charlie Hester-Cook and Lee Harding are no closer to returning.

Di Paola added: “I think Slough are probably the form team in the league at the moment. They’re absolutely flying, so it’ll be a really tough away game up there.”