Sutton Common Rovers 1-2 Eastbourne Town

Sutton Common Rovers crashed out of the FA Cup in disappointing fashion at the weekend, going down 2-1 to Southern Combination Premier division side Eastbourne Town, writes Gary Brigden.

The first half, it has to be said was a turgid affair, with little for those in the crowd to get excited about. SCR did go close on 21 minutes, when Jordan Gallagher saw a low drive well saved by Greg Nessling in the Eastbourne goal an Aaron Capon missed a decent chance for Eastbourne, firing wide when well placed.

It was the visitors who struck first, on the stroke of half time, when a needless free kick saw David Smart fire low beyond Craig Bradshaw from 35 yards for 1-0.

Things got worse for SCR early in the second half, when Dan Dean failed to clear a Capon cross and Chris Cumming-Bart slammed the ball home from close range. SCR when Ethan Strevett, having been book for a high kick in the first half, repeated the trick in the second and saw red.

Francois Gabbidon almost forced a goal when Nessling fumbled a cross under pressure from the big forward, and Gallagher fired the loose ball against the post.

SCR were back in it on 76 minutes when a ball over the top released Gabbidon and he fired beyond Nessling for 2-1.

A minute later and the visitors were reduced to nine men, when Smart, having already been booked, kicked the ball away and saw a second yellow.

SCR huffed and puffed in the final minutes, but a lack of quality on delivery was to cost them and Eastbourne progressed to a tie away at Bostik South side Phoenix Sports.