Clive Snell’s second half penalty salvaged a point for Peacehaven in a pulsating contest. That was the least they deserved from a match which was a terrific advert for the County League .

After a cagey first half saw them trailing, and facing a forth league defeat, Peacehaven went for broke in the second half, at times playing with four strikers. Hassocks responded with attacking play of their own, and it was something of a miracle that there were only two goals.

Peacehaven were unchanged for the first time this season, but not for the first time in recent weeks were slow to get going. Hassocks had the best early chance, as Sam Jeremiah burst past Tom Bowles, only to be denied by a fine save from Josh Heyburn. At the other end Adam Kneller’s volley flew narrowly wide of the target.

Hassocks best openings were coming out wide, where Lee Waterhouse was giving Matt Hill a torrid time, and it was no surprise when the Robins took the lead from that source. Scott Marshall was robbed in midfield and the ball was fed to Waterhouse, whose cross was met by a stooping header from Jeremiah. The lead was almost doubled within minutes, but Bowles managed to scramble Waterhouse’s shot off the line.

Peacehaven started to dominate possession at the start of the second half, and laid siege to the Hassocks goal. However it took a misjudgement in the home defence to get them level. The increasingly influential Clive Snell was brought down for a penalty, which he confidently struck home.

Pete Edwards immediately threw on Craig Bunch and Ashley Rees in an effort to force a second goal. Their arrival caused havoc in the home defence, and Peacehaven really should have taken advantage. Tom Levitt and Jack Reeder both wasted glorious opportunities, whilst at the other end a fierce drive from Phil Gault almost won the points for Hassocks.

Scorers:-  Hassocks:- Jeremiah (24)   Peacehaven:- Snell (Pen) 65

Hassocks:- Simpson, Brown, Whittingham, Marsh, O'Callaghan, Waterhouse, Slaughter, Kane, Jeremiah, Gault, Thompson.

Subs:- Hibbert, Akehurst, Laing, Clark, Hillwood.

Peacehaven & T. :- Heyburn, Hall, Hill, Kneller, Cullinane, Gunn, Snell, Marshall (Rees 66), O’Toole (Reeder 85), Levitt, Bowles (Bunch 66)

Unused Subs:- B.Dartnell, Gilmour.