Donnelly pleased with performance in away draw

Ben Gray netted the winner for EP against Newhaven on Saturday

EP twice led the County League Division 1 game as their winless win increased to seven games, although they have drawn three of their last four matches 2-2.

Ben Gray volleyed home a cross to give East Preston the lead on eight minutes but Rangers levelled through Luke Leppard on 31 minutes.

EP went back in front on 34 minutes when Shaun Charles got a touch to score his 12th goal of the season from David O’Callaghan’s free kick.

The hosts equalised just five minutes later through a Jamie Weston penalty, although Donnelly was unhappy with the award of the spot-kick.

He said: “It was a hotly-disputed penalty. One of my players has slid in and the shot has hit his hand on the floor. The referee has then played the advantage but when they didn’t score, he pulled the play back and gave the penalty.

“I felt that was pretty harsh but it was a good performance overall.

“We created a lot of chances and it was a much improved performance, with a much better attitude as well.

“On chances alone, we should have won the game but we’ve now got to take this attitude and performance into our remaining games.”

East Preston entertain Newhaven on Saturday.

EAST PRESTON: Allfrey; Johnston, Franks, Hand, Mannings; O’Callaghan, Curtis, Greenfield, Charles; Gray, Williams. Subs: Kavanagh (Williams 45), Saunders (Greenfield 70).