Hailsham win Cup thriller

The Stringers looked dead and buried as they fell 2-0 behind to goals from Liam Baitup and Steve Dallaway, and with 86 minutes on the clock the hosts seemed to be cruising.

Stuart Lewis pulled one back and referee Gary Croft then allowed nine minutes of added time in which Lee Barnard levelled the scores with a header on 96 minutes.

Mr Croft had already played 55 minutes in the first half and with extra-time the match lasted an amazing two-and-a-half hours.

To add to Eastbourne's misery superb strikes from ace hitman Danny Leach and Simon Stevens put Hailsham 4-2 in front before Shaun Loft netted from the penalty spot with a minute remaining.

Hailsham manager Kenny McCreadie said: 'Gary Croft is a strong referee and he added on the proper amount of time. I knew we would win when we got back to 2-1.'

Hailsham: Tanner, Early, Hunt, Smith, Reeve, Richardson (Barnard), Stevens, Jarvis, Leach, Koboah (Lewis), Barden (Monk).