Lancing take turn to be pegged back at Bexhill
After twice coming back from losing positions in their previous games against higher placed opposition, it was Lancing's turn to experience the disappointment of failing to hold on to a lead when they went to wet and windy Bexhill.
Lancing led 2-0 at the break but 8th-placed Bexhill hit back in the second half to earn a share of the SCFL Premier points.
For Lancing Oliver Deda replaced injured Isaac Brown and Simon Kowalczyk came in for Dylan Walter. An early inspection gave the pitch at the Polegrove the all-clear despite the rain.
The Pirates went close to a breakthrough twice in the opening 10 minutes but Ryan Gumner stopped both efforts from crossing the line.
Lancing took the lead after 13 minutes. Mo Khediji won the ball in the opposition half, quickly laid the ball off to Gabe Robinson who set up Simon Kowalczyk who wasted no time in finding the bottom corner.
Lancing increased their lead on 21 minutes. A typically tenacious ball -winning tackle by Billy McKay won him possession, setting up Robinson who fired home from the edge of the box.
The condition of the playing surface did not allow for attractive football and led to a number of fouls. Archie McGonigle, McKay and Kowalczyk were harshly penalised with yellow cards.
Lancing came close to increasing their lead with a free-kick from Kowalczyk which the Pirates keeper did well to palm away.
The hosts came out for the second half fired up and immediately had Lancing under pressure, despite Lancing having the gale force wind at their backs.
Elliott Dailly had to react quickly to smother the ball at the feet of an opposing attacker. Conditions worsened and the Pirates seemed better able to cope.
Lancing had a lucky escape when a Pirates attacker blazed over. Robinson came close to being put clear wide on the left but the home keeper was quick to deal with the threat.
Lancing were defending stoutly and safe handling by keeper Elliot Dailly came to their rescue as the wind caused the ball to swirl dangerously close to goal.
But eventually a poor clearance was seized upon by the home side and they were able to pull one back. Lancing brought on Matt Simpson, Dylan Walter and Robert Deda in an attempt to use fresh legs to keep the Pirates at bay.
It seemed a matter of time before they would take advantage of one of their corners and they did so five minutes from the end of normal time. One was met by a darting run to the near post and a smart downward header.
Simpson came close to restoring Lancing's lead with a curling effort that was just wide. The Pirates were hunting for a winner and it took a fine one-handed save from Dailly to deny themin nine minutes of added time.
A sour note for the Lancers was the red card handed out to Oliver Deda almost on the stroke of full-time.
Lancing have now gone four games without defeat – next up is Saturday’s visit to Cove in the FA Vase.