Crawley coach Brian Owen was satisfied with a 2-2 premier draw at second-to-bottom Merthyr after newcomer Younes Nabil sparked a hard-fought comeback.

Making his debut at the start of a month's loan from Ryman Premier club St Albans, Nabil reduced a 2-0 deficit on 58 minutes with a half-volley.

Reds equalised through an Ian Payne penalty on 72 minutes after Rob Collins was adjudged to have been fouled. Merthur player-manager Leroy Rosenior was sent off for disputing the decision.

The visitors' Lee Doherty received his marching orders for the use of an elbow eight minutes from time but Reds held firm.

Owen said: "I am delighted with a point after we looked dead and buried.

"It was always going to be a very tough battle because Merthyr are near the bottom andfighting for their lives.

"We showed character and enthusiasm. Lee's sending off might have cost us the three points. It was nip and tuck.

"Bearing in mind all the injuries we have we did well and I was pleased with Nabil as his goal was crucial."

Reds were without injured frontmen Ben Abbey and Steve Restarick and defender Marc Pullan, while top scorer Danny Carroll and winger Nigel Brake were both unavailable due to work commitments.

Owen said: "Tamworth drew and Kettering won, so we are down to third now, one point behind leaders Tamworth but this means our home game against Folkestone tomorrow night is a big game."

But he was annoyed with the way Crawley conceded both goals.

The first after 11 minutes was the result of Andy Little spilling a free-kick and Andy Mainwaring scoring.

They went further behind in the 51st minute when Dave Harlow gave the ball away in midfield before the defence allowed substitute Wayne Savage to chip past the goalkeeper.

Owen said: "The way we conceded the goals is something we shall be working on."

Eastbourne Borough boss Garry Wilson claimed the referee cost his side a point at Dorchester Town as his side went down 2-1 in the eastern division.

Dave Adams thought he had made it 2-2 with a header from a Ben Austin cross in the 83rd minute.

But referee David Hannis disallowed the goal because of a foul on former Brighton goalkeeper Mark Ormerod.

Wilson said: "I saw absolutely nothing wrong with the goal.

"I asked the referee why he disallowed it and he said it was because Adams used his body strength to beat the keeper. But surely that is what all players do.

"We didn't deserve a point but we should have had one."

The first half was one of Borough's worst performances of the season and they went behind after six minutes when Andy Harris was left unmarked to head home.

Borough battled well but were never in the game and they went further behind in the 47th minute when Simon Radcliffe scored with a 25-yard screamer.

Wilson brought on Matt Smart and Paul Stevens and pulled a goal back in the 71st minute when Stuart Tuck hammered home a 30-yard free-kick.