A late Martyn Box penalty secured a point for Burgess Hill Town to keep the Hillians unbeaten start to 2025 going.

The Hillians fielded the same starting XI which defeated Erith Town 10 days earlier in the Hillians last match.

Marcin Ruda stunned the home crowd into silence when he took full advantage of a mistake at the back and with Slav Huk off his line Ruda shot home from distance.

Hill attempted to get back into it and on 18 minutes had a half chance which saw Ryan Worrall wanting a penalty which was not given and the ball fell to Harry Lawson who smashes over from a corner.

On 36 minutes the visitors were reduced to 10 men after JJ Walker is late and high on a challenge with Martyn Box and he’s given his immediate marching orders.

Just before half time Worrall found Hamish Morrison beautifully, he cuts it back for Ollie Davies who’s deflected effort is really well saved by ex Hill stopper Chris Winterton.

Brannon O’Neill replaced Lawson at half time and 9 minutes into the second half Nathan Cooper came on for the injured Worrall.

On 66 minutes Winterton dropped a cross and the ball fell to Chris Whelpdale whose shot was blocked on the line.

Hill struggled to break down a solid Eastbourne Town defence but in the 90th minute were awarded a lifeline as Ben Pope got kicked in the head and the referee has no choice but to point to the spot and Box stepped up to bring the Hillians level and share the points.

Hill: Slav Huk, Reggie Ward (Bobby Price 81), Hamish Morrison, Harry Lawson (Brannon O’Neill 46), Ryan Worrall (Nathan Cooper 54), Marcus Allen (Alex Malins 92), Ollie Davies (Dan Perry 63), Kieran Rowe, Ben Pope, Chris Whelpdale, Martyn Box.