A frustrating afternoon for the Rams with Eastbourne Town getting the equalising goal in the 91st minute of the game in a competitive match at The Saffrons.

An early chance fell to Croydon Athletic, with a shot from Gary Noel in the 7th minute being parried away by Russell Tanner in the Eastbourne goal, followed by a great run from Tom Bolarinwa and his cross in was met nicely by Goma Lambu but his strike from a sharp angle went over the bar.

At the other end of the pitch, Eastbourne’s Liam Bateup looked to be through into the Croydon box, but a block by Jeremy Williams denied him the shooting opportunity.

Another teasing cross in from Bolarinwa just failed to connect with Noel diving in to try and get his head to it just inches from the line.

Eastbourne were putting a few moves together themselves, and indeed it was the home side pushing forward in the second period of the first half and looking more likely to take the lead with Jack Dixon and Baitup having chances.

However the Croydon defence were solid with Richard Blackwell getting a head to every ball that was floated into the penalty box.

As the first half drew to a close, a pinpoint cross from Lambu fell to Scott Forrester, but his shot went over the bar and both sides had to settle for 0-0 at halt time.

The crowd were still finding their seats for the second half when the Rams finally struck and it was top goalscorer Noel who once more got his name on the scoresheet to put the away side one up.

Forrester was working hard and causing problems up front, and he was through but again the impressive Tanner in the Eastbourne goal saved at his feet.

Croydon continued to press with Danny Waldren getting a flying header in that went just over the bar, and Forrester was again denied by the keeper.

As the match went into extra time, it was Eastbourne that managed to break away and get the equalising goal with Baitup putting the ball away in the 91st minute and denying Croydon a good away win.