Carshalton had to dig deep to earn a 1-1 draw against a more than useful Hastings side who started the game at a whirlwind pace and worked hard to repel the Robins attacks when their attacking threat faded in the second half. 

Although the Robins failed to reach the footballing heights of recent games, their persistence finally paid off when captain David Ray deservedly equalised on 79 minutes and few would argue that the draw was probably a fair result ahead of the eagerly anticipated FA Cup fixture at home against Braintree Town this coming Saturday.

  Hastings made two chances in the first two minutes when Nathan Russell’s first time shot from Russell Eldridge’s corner flew just over and Eldridge went close himself with a shot that flew across the face of the Robins goal. 

Carshalton’s first serious attack didn’t arrive until the 14th minute, when a run by Chris Henry was stopped at the expense of a corner which was half cleared. 

Tommy Williams returned the ball into the area and David Ray’s header was blocked on the line. As is often the case these days the defender given the job of marking Henry turned out to be the first to be booked and on this occasion Josh Jirbandey was the culprit. 

Hastings continued to press and Carshalton keeper Craig Ross had to race off his line to clear Luke Pigden’s short back pass, but on 18 minutes the visitors were ahead when a free kick into the area was headed back into the danger zone and Hastings captain John Beales scrambled the ball home through a melee of players. Peggy Lokando and Joel Ledgister combined well as Carshalton tried to fight back and a corner by Tommy Williams gave Ray another chance that was scrambled away. 

Hastings continued to threaten on the break and Fraser Logan’s flick at a low cross from the right flew just over. Carshalton were struggling to build up their moves as Hastings denied them time and space, but Byron Harrison came close when he seized onto a through ball. New signing Charlie Mitten was alert to the threat, however, and made a brave save to ensure that United remained ahead at the break.

  Eldridge had a good chance to increase the Hastings lead with a shot through a crowd of players that went just wide and an even better chance when he blasted over instead of passing the ball in. Hastings gradually slowed, however, and the Robins at last began to see more of the ball. Chris Henry seized on a free kick but mis-kicked when well placed. Midway through the half Mark Butler decided that changes were required and on came Anthony Joseph and Lloyd Blackman to replace Williams and Henry. 

Joseph quickly made a contribution, providing a chance for Ray that was headed over and Ray turned provider heading the ball down for Harrison to swivel and shoot, but once again the effort was blocked. The equalizer finally arrived 11 minutes before the end of normal time. Joseph went on another run, cutting in from the right, and his pass into the area found David Ray who finally scored the goal he had threatened throughout the game directing the ball past Mitten and into the net. 

The result remained in the balance in the final minutes. Hastings appeal for a penalty when Ricardo Joseph mis-timed his tackle was turned down and Joseph was booked for his next challenge. Hasting’s Sam Adams joined him in Mr Daly’s note-book for dissent. Neither side managed to create the chance that could have secured the three points and both had to accept a share of the spoils and some positives to take from what was a hard fought game.