Eastbourne Borough squandered a half-time lead as they clung on for a point against Rushden and Diamonds.

The home side had dominated the first half and led through a fine volley from Simon Weatherstone after 29 minutes.

But it was a completely different story after the break as the visitors fought back and could have scored more than Cliff Akurang's equaliser in the 58th minute.

It was a real tale of two halves with Rushden looking sluggish in the opening 45 minutes.

They were almost caught out after just five minutes when Liam Enver-Marum beat goalkeeper Dale Roberts to a hopeful cross from Weatherstone only for the striker's header to bounce wide.

Roberts was at fault again in the 20th minute when his weak punch fell to Weatherstone on the edge of the area who sent a volley just over.

The former Crawley midfielder made Roberts pay nine minutes later though when he latched on to another punch to lash a left-foot volley into the roof of the net.

The visitors rarely threatened although they did have the ball in the net in the 15th minute when Aaron O'Connor lobbed Danny Knowles, but the flag head already gone up for offside.

O'Connor lobbed Knowles again in the 44th minute after beating Darren Baker to Rob Wolleaston's ball over the top but this time his effort cleared the bar.

Craig Farrell also wasted a great opportunity when Wolleaston's header found him unmarked in the area but he volleyed wildly over when he had more time.

The only setback for Borough was an injury to Neil Jenkins midway through the half. Jenkins went down clutching his left hamstring and was replaced by Matt Smart, with Danny Brown switching the left-back.

Rushden needed to improve in the second half and they did, especially after the introduction of substitutes Cliff Akurang and Lee Tomlin.

The pair were involved in the goal with Tomlin's cross skimming off the head of a defender to give Akurang a simple finish from five yards.

Tomlin almost caught Knowles out at his near post from a free kick as Rushden pinned Borough in their own half for long periods.

Borough were unable to keep possession and their only chance of the second half when Matt Smart's quick free kick set Jamie Taylor clear but he was unable to finish from a tight angle.