Eastbourne Borough avoided a potential FA Cup upset to secure their first win of the season against Epsom & Ewell.

The Combined Counties Premier South side had half a chance early on, though, but Kingsley Anokye headed over.

However, The Sports were soon dominating proceedings in difficult conditions at The ReachTV Stadium. Pemi Aderoju had two headers go narrowly wide of either post, before the forward broke the deadlock on 21 minutes.

Jesurun Uchegbulam chipped the ball in from the left and Aderoju stooped low to send his diving header past Faebian Witter.

Uchegbulam went close himself moments later – firing a first-time strike just wide after good work from Dan Quick – before the lead was doubled on the half hour mark.

Tayt Trusty did well to win possession and Aderoju sent Josh Anifowose through on goal, and the midfielder fired into the bottom corner from inside the area.

Epsom’s task wasn’t made any easier when they had Adam Green sent off just two minutes after the break, whilst goalkeeper Witter picked up an injury – defender Toby Young donning the gloves for the last half an hour.

And Borough made the most of their advantage. Quick fired a ball in from the right and Aderoju met it with a firm header that crept into the corner.

The forward, on loan from Peterborough, then completed his hat-trick in stoppage time, glancing a header from Isaac Pitblado’s cross into the far corner.