Eastbourne Borough were made to settle for a point despite dominating their National League South fixture with Hornchurch.

Despite being the better side, it was the Sports who fell behind through Henry Hearn on 35 minutes – but the hosts restored parity through Alfie Pavey before half-time.

The Sports had chances to win the game in the second half, but were left frustrated in front of goal and were made to make do with one point instead of the three they deserved.

Adam Murray made two changes to the eleven that started at Boreham Wood in the FA Trophy last weekend, with Alfie Pavey and Pierce Bird returning to the line up.

On a sunny afternoon at The ReachTV Stadium, Borough got on the front foot from the off. A last-ditch intervention from Will Greenidge denied Pavey after good work from Michael Klass, before the hosts had a great chance after 12 minutes.

Brad Barry clipped the ball forwards and George Alexander broke through down the right. He slid it across to Pavey, but his first time shot went over the bar from twelve yards.

Brayden Johnson then kept the ball alive on the left hand side and pulled it back to Courtney Clarke, but his effort went just over the bar before Matt Terry was alert to turn Pavey’s goalbound effort over the bar after he latched onto Dom Odusanya’s ball through.

Pierce Bird whipped in a corner and picked out Klass, but he could only head over from six yards before Kai Innocent’s low ball into the area was scrambled away by the visitors – but only after Pavey, Johnson and Klass all having shots blocked.

However, completely against the run of play it was Hornchurch who went in front. Liam Nash slipped the ball through to Hearn, who drove at the Borough defence before finding room to fire a shot low into the bottom corner from just inside the area.

But the Sports got back on level terms just five minutes later. Klass did well to find space on the right hand side, and he fired the ball low across goal and despite Innocent not being able to get on the end of it, Pavey was on hand at the far post to convert from close range.

Things remained the same as the second half got underway, with Borough continuing to push forwards but without reward.

Skipper Barry went close to a rare goal himself on the hour mark, linking up with Clarke to find a yard of room inside the area but he flashed the ball just wide of the far post.

The Sports had an even better chance to go in front on 74 minutes. Barry pumped a low ball forwards and Pavey got on the end of it, but Terry was off his line well to save at the forward’s feet. The loose ball fell to Alexander, who looked set to score but Harry Gibbs was on the line to clear his shot with the goal gaping.

A superb stop from Terry then denied Borough moments later. Substitute Jayden Davis fired the ball in from the right and Alexander looked set to score as he flicked it on inside the six yard box, but the away keeper produced a great save.

It was a frustrating afternoon for the Sports, who had to be alert at the other end as Joe Wright was called into action for the first time on 82 minutes – saving well from Nash at his near post.

And their grievance in front of goal was summed up in stoppage time. Bird whipped in a corner and it dropped to Pavey inside the area. His shot was blocked, and with the ball ricocheting around it fell to Alexander, who turned the ball goalwards. Despite appeals it had crossed the line, the linesman said no and the Sports’ celebrations were cut short.

Another point on the board – and the home unbeaten record continues – but the Sports will feel it should have been more.