Pat Harding scored his 14th goal of the season as Eastbourne Borough ground out a 1-1 draw at Eastleigh.

The former Hassocks striker pounced to divert a Scott Ramsay shot into the net from close range to give Borough an 18th-minute lead.

But a tiring Eastbourne side, playing their third game in five days, finished the match on the back foot and conceded a 70th-minute equaliser.

Despite that setback, Borough held on and extended their unbeaten run to 14 matches.

Beset by injuries and illness, with Neil Jenkins, Matt Smart, Matt Crabb, and Duncan McArthur all missing out, Borough were boosted by the return to fitness of Ramsay.

The former Albion striker was instrumental in Borough's goal as he collected a poor Eastleigh clearance and his low drive was turned in by the lurking Harding.

The home side were almost gifted an immediate reply when Jay Lovett, filling in at leftback, miskicked and sent Steve Watts clear on goal.

But Eastbourne breathed a sigh of relief when the experienced striker hurried his shot and sliced wide.

Watts was later denied by a fine one-handed save from Borough goalkeeper Lee Hook and Chris Collins drove over as Eastleigh finished the half in the ascendancy.

While Eastbourne still have designs on the play-offs, Eastleigh, managed by former Southampton and Albion defender Jason Dodd, are still not clear of relegation and their fight and hunger were evident throughout a full-blooded second half.

On 51 minutes, Hook's kick was charged down but the keeper was relieved to see it bounce to safety.

Ten minutes later, Hook saved from Darren Wheeler's half-volley as Eastleigh pressed.

Borough have the second tightest defence in the League, and showed their resilience in the face of a period of Eastleigh pressure midway through the second half.

But after some head tennis inside the Borough box, the rearguard was breached when Eastleigh captain Danny Smith powered a header beyond Hook to the equaliser.

Borough pressed in the last ten minutes but couldn't find the telling pass and failed to test James Pullan in the Eastleigh goal.

The result, Borough's 15th League draw this season, extends their best unbeaten record for four seasons.

Eastbourne Borough: Hook; Baker, Lovett, Atkin, Austin, Pullan, Harding, Armstrong, Ramsay, Tait, Wilde. Subs: McArthur, Agutter, Douglas, Murray, Williams.