Late own goal helps East Preston snatch a point

Jack Barnes went close for East Preston on Saturday. Picture: Stephen Goodger

Jamie Buckett’s strike ten minutes from time looked to have sealed it for Town but EP snatched a late leveller. Jack Barnes’ corner was headed into his own net by a Seaford defender three minutes from the end as it ended 1-1.

The game was marred by a horrific injury to East Preston’s Matt Smith after 23 minutes. Following a hefty challenge, Smith was taken to hospital for an X-ray, which revealed he had shattered his collar bone in three pieces.

EP boss Bob Paine hopes the defender makes a speedy recovery and said: “Our thoughts after the game were on how Matt Smith was and finding out the shocking news that he has shattered his collar bone in three pieces. I’m so disappointed for him as he has formed a great partnership at the heart of our defence with Tom Lyne and hope his recovery will be a speedy one.

“As for the game, we played some great football again but we are going through a sticky patch at the moment in front of goal.

“We just need to keep calm and not panic as it will come right and we’ve just got to keep playing the proper way.”

EP came under great pressure in the opening 45 minutes and keeper Chris Cook was forced into several saves.

Despite all the action, Matt Smith’s 23rd minute injury marred events.

EP were much better in the second half and wasted a number of openings.

Dylan Barnes skewed a shot wide after meeting Jared Rance’s cross on 58 minutes, before Jack Barnes saw a header saved by Ben Head eight minutes later.

Despite East Preston’s dominance, it was the home side who went ahead. Buckett was left unmarked, with time in the area, and he fired past Cook.

With time running out, an own goal helped Paine’s side salvage a point.

Jack Barnes’ cross was attacked by Matt Hardman, which forced a Seaford defender to head into his own net three minutes before the end.

EAST PRESTON: Cook; Josh Parazo, Jacob Parazo, Hardman, Lyne, M.Smith, Rance, J.Barnes, D.Barnes, Huet, H.Smith. Subs: Etherington (Smith), Laughlin (D.Barnes), Taylor (H.Smith), Hallett, Purkis.