East Grinstead twice came from behind as they won 5-3 away to Belper in National League division two.

Having failed to win a single away game last season, this victory could not have been sweeter for new player-coach Ian Pattison.

Newly-promoted Belper had been undefeated in pre-season, including winning a tournament in Northern Ireland and beating three teams from a higher league.

Grinstead were looking to bounce back from a disastrous season which had seen them relegated from division one. It was clear Belper and their supporters expected to win and after five minutes they went ahead with a well-worked short corner.

Much work had been done by Grinstead on mental training and preparing for such scenarios. There was no panic and ten minutes later their first short corner produced the equaliser through Dominic Male.

A clever deflection put Belper 2-1 ahead on 17 minutes but once again Grinstead held their nerve and were rewarded with a second short corner goal, this time by Richard Payne.

The second half started evenly but everything changed when Grinstead went in front through Pattison, well set up by Andy Medcalf.

Belper lost their shape while Grinstead soaked up the pressure and counter attacked at pace, using the skill of Ben Payne and new signing Duncan Howarth. Two more goals through Richard Payne and Male put the result beyond doubt as Belper replied with a penalty stroke.

Pattison said: "There is a long way to go this season and there is much to work on but this has given everyone a much-needed confidence boost and shows we are on the right track."

CHICHESTER opened their campaign in the Southern Premier with a 2-1 home defeat to Beckenham.