Eastbourne Borough bowed out of the Isuzu FA Trophy after a battling defeat away at fellow National League South side Dorking Wanderers.

Kai Corbett had given Borough an early lead in the Second Round tie, before the hosts turned it around to lead at half-time.

Dorking then added a third within the first minute of the second half, but it was Borough who dominated possession after the break – and set up a tense finale after Victor Akinwale headed in.

But Dorking held on to see Borough’s FA Trophy hopes to fall at the first hurdle.

Tommy Widdrington’s side got off to the perfect start in Surrey. Skipper Laiith Fairnie did well to win a header in midfield and the ball found Corbett, who turned away from one challenge and find space 25 yards out, and he powered a low strike beyond Harrison Foulkes and into the bottom corner.

It was Corbett’s third goal in as many games – and he almost doubled the lead after ten minutes. Mo Sagaf found the playmaker who broke into the area, but his shot was deflected just wide of the near post by Louis Storey.

However, the hosts grew into the half, with Brennan Camp heading a cross just over before they drew level after 16 minutes. James McShane ran onto a ball through down the left and he shifted the ball across to Jimmy Muitt who applied the first-time finish past Jamie Searle.

Borough, however, almost produced an instant response. Josh Anifowose saw his shot turned away by Foulkes and the rebound dropped to Pemi Aderoju, but his header from close range was blocked by Storey for a corner.

Just when it seemed the tie would be level going into the break, the hosts went in front. Dennon Lewis and Camp linked up on the right and the former whipped in a low cross which evaded everyone to find the far corner.

And Dorking wasted no time in extending their advantage. Barely 20 seconds after the restart, McShane lifted the ball over the Borough back line and find the run of Josh Taylor who lifted it beyond the advancing Searle and into the net.

Corbett almost halved the deficit shortly afterwards in sublime style – but his free-kick from 30 yards out clipped the top of the bar on its way over.

The Sports pressed in search of a way back into the tie – Corbett had a shot blocked, before Arthur Grout found Aderoju on the edge of the area, but his strike was turned away by the diving Foulkes.

Tayt Trusty and Grout then linked up well to find Corbett, and his low ball through played in Anifowose, but Foulkes was off his line well to save at his feet.

Widdrington then made a triple change as Kingsley Anokye, Joey Phuthi and Akinwale came on – and the latter had an instant impact.

Phuthi found Grout on the right-hand side, and he stood the ball up to the far post and Akinwale rose to send his downward header into the net.

Borough then piled on the pressure, with Corbett shooting narrowly wide of the bottom corner from outside the area before Isaac Pitblado found Akinwale in the middle but he sent his effort the wrong side of the post.

But despite bowing out, there were plenty of positives to take for The Sports – but Dorking ultimately showed their clinical edge.