Crusaders rue missed chances at Borough

Jake Evans missed a second half penalty as Hungerford Town lost 3-1 to Eastbourne Borough, their first defeat since New Year’s Day.

The scoreline was harsh on the Crusaders, who were dominant for large parts of the match but once again failed to convert their chances.

Hungerford went close in the fourth minute after Dan Roberts and Joel Rollinson combined to set up Ryan Jones – along with Bristol Rovers teammate Jed Ward, sporting a new shaved head in support of Gas full-back Nick Anderton, who is undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with bone cancer – whose shot was well saved by 39-year-old goalkeeper Lee Worgan.

Eastbourne's first real spell of pressure brought with it Borough's first goal in the 11th minute when prolific frontman Charlie Walker scored from a corner to make it 1-0.

Hungerford almost produced an instant response two minutes later after a long throw from Jones found the head of centre-back Matt Berry-Hargreaves whose looping effort hit the bar and went agonisingly over as Eastbourne survived.

Jones went close again in the 40th minute before a big penalty shout on the stroke of half time was waved away after Jack Burchell appeared to handle the ball in the area.

It was 2-0 shortly after half time when midfielder James Hammond diverted the ball past Ward after the Crusaders failed to clear a corner, and Hungerford were left with a mountain to climb.

Hungerford had the chance to halve the deficit just after the hour when the referee pointed to the spot, this time adjudging the ball had indeed struck an Eastbourne hand, but Jake Evans' tame penalty was saved by the veteran Worgan.

However the visitors continued to press and probe and got one back when the impressive Louis McGrory drilled a shot home from outside the box but as the Crusaders went in search of an equaliser, Leone Gravata scored a late sucker-punch to send Hungerford back to Berkshire pointless, and still bottom of the National League South.