Goldberg returns at the double

The U’s leading scorer capped his comeback from a three-week injury lay-off by netting twice in stoppage time.

Hastings fielded a near full strength side for this second round tie in preparation for the big FA Cup clash away to Harrogate Town on Saturday.

Elliott Cox returned at right back after missing the last two games while player-manager Sean Ray came through the first 45 minutes. There was also a late substitute appearance by Jono Richardson who the previous Tuesday had turned his ankle in the Ryman League Cup tussle against Three Bridges.

Hastings opened the scoring on 14 minutes when Ray powered home a header from a Lee Carey corner for his sixth goal of the season.

Carey and Dee Okojie went close to increasing the lead, while James Temple struck the base of the post for the Sussex Division One side.

Pagham got back on level terms just before half time through Scott Murfin who netted with the night’s second thumping header from a corner.

With the weekend’s huge cup tie perhaps at the back of their minds, Hastings struggled to really stamp their authority in the second half until the introduction of Goldberg on the hour mark.

The young striker was twice denied by keeper James Binfield before another Carey corner found its way to Okojie who fired into the roof of the net.

Matt Whitehead then drilled just over the upright and Binfield saved well from Okojie.

The Pagham stopper was left helpless late on, however, when Goldberg netted twice from close range after Richardson had touched on a Jack Dixon corner for the first and then a Zac Attwood cross for the second.

Hastings (4-3-3): Armstrong-Ford; Cox, Ray (Manning 46), Jirbandey, Whitehead; Crellin, Carey (Richardson 85), Dixon; Camara (Goldberg 60), Attwood, Okojie. Subs not used: Bachellier, Hales.

Referee: Graham Kane (Ditchling). Attendance: 155.