Eastbourne were enjoying life in top three - but it was all for nothing

A come-from-behind 4-2 win at home to Billericay on Tuesday night left them third – but it has proven to be for nothing after clubs voted to end the season in the row over government funding to cover the lack of fans.

Borough have won four of their past five, though the win against Billericay happened only after a canny substitution by boss Danny Bloor.

More than an hour in, the Sports still trailed 2-1, but a change and a tweak of shape prompted a dramatic turnaround, and three goals in the final 15 minutes secured the points.

“Our captain and centre-forward Charlie Walker hasn’t played much football recently, and so in his place we introduced Dean Cox off the bench, and switched Greg Luer through the middle,” Bloor said.

Borough beat Billericay - in pictures.

Sports win hopes grounded by Concord.

Within minutes Chris Whelpdale grabbed two goals, with Cox involved in both, to put Borough 3-2 up. A sublime 25-yard free-kick from James Hammond sealed the victory.

Bloor praised the visitors – who, having furloughed their senior players, fielded a team of non-contract players and under-23s.

“Billericay were absolutely what we expected. I give all credit to their energy, enthusiasm and resolution. They were worthy of their lead at half-time, but we came through in the end,” Bloor said.

The Sports were due to head to Clarence Park tomorrow for a huge encounter with high-flying St Albans City, who were fifth but with games in hand. For Borough it would have marked the halfway point in the season. Now that season is over

Speaking before Thursday night's late news of the season being made null and void, Bloor said: “Let’s not get carried away, but it’s a nice position to be in. Our remit was to stay in this division, and in recent seasons, we have often been looking over our shoulder. This time, we are up there on merit. After 19 games, you deserve to be where you are in the table. We are unbeaten in five – and actually bitterly disappointed that we did not take all three points last Saturday against Concord.”

Tellingly, Bloor added: “We can only take things a match at a time. The boys will have been in for Thursday night training as usual."