Despite the home side having a greater share of possession this afternoon, it will be the Missioners who will possibly feel they were short changed in only returning with a point after Borough keeper Lee Hook twice foiled Michael Bartley with fingertip saves.

The home side started the game well with a fierce wind in their favour as it appeared the Hayes midfield were sitting far too deep thus giving the home side plenty of space to advance towards Kevin Davies' goal. Peter Collins did well to charge down an early Scott Ramsey shot from the edge of the box while our own early effort saw a Kieran Knight volley blocked by an appallingly positioned referee.

Within a minute the impressive Jay Lovett had raced away down the right flank before crossing deep to Adam Wilde who saw his volley flash across the face of goal and wide before Wilde almost turned creator when he fed the ball to Matt Smart but his effort was easily dealt with by Davies at the foot of his post.

Eastbourne continued to push forwards without really worrying the Hayes backline. Lovett found Ramsay but his shot on the turn was straight at Davies before the wide man volleyed a deep cross from just outside the area that flashed inches wide of the upright. As the half drew to a close an inswinging corner from Liam Feeney went through the six yard box but somehow remained untouched as keeper Hook "threw a tantrum" at the referee for not awarding him a free-kick.

The second half was to prove a different story as the visitors gained in confidence with the wind at their backs and began to create more chances of their own. The home side however could have taken a lead soon after the restart but for an excellent sliding block in the six yard box that denied Ramsay a shot after excellent approach play from Wilde and Jenkins on the left.

55 minutes had passed when Hook denied Bartley for the first time, Knight found the striker who turned his marker before advancing and firing goalwards from 20 yards only for Hook to dive full stretch and tip his effort around the post. Feeney then found half time substitute Shaun McAuley who advanced into the box, his initial goalbound effort was palmed away by Hook with Jenkins blocking the rebound that fell again to McAuley.

Chances then switched ends again, Ramsay's shot on the turn from the edge of the area was off target before a deep Ben Austin cross saw Wilde volley over Davies' bar. Play immediately switched again and an excellent Ryan Ashe pass fell to McAuley who could only watch as his dipping volley was inches too high leaving a Hook thanking his lucky stars as he was off his line.

With just over fifteen minutes remaining Bartley went closer but not close enough, the ball was swept forwards from the midfield to young striker Stafforde Palmer, his inch perfect pass saw Bartley hit a perfect drive only for Hook to tip the ball onto the crossbar and over.

Still we moved forwards looking for the vital goal, McAuley and Feeney combined on the right but Bartley's header was easy for Hook and at the other end Davies saved comfortably at the foot of his post from a Lovett shot that came through a crowded area.

Report by Kevin Watts. Photos by Ray Peploe.