Eastbourne Borough 1, Bromley 2

Borough manager Garry Wilson had no complaints that his Blue Square south leaders cracked under the pressure of being title favourites in front of a 1,132 crowd at Priory Lane.

Goals by Luke l'Anson and Mark De Bolla, who was sent off in injury time for an alleged head butt on Andy Ballard, put the visitors two up before Paul Armstrong reduced the arrears.

Borough now have just a one- point advantage on Sussex rivals Lewes.

Wilson said: "We didn't deserve anything and were second best. There were too many players not firing on all cylinders.

"But it's not all doom and gloom and we're still in a good position."

Borough suffered a blow when top scorer Andy Atkin - who had scored 27 goals this season - was ruled out with a calf injury.

Consequently, the hosts produced little in the way of an attacking threat during a scrappy opening half in swirling conditions as hail turned to sunshine and back again.

It was Bromley who took the initiative and Omari Coleman and strike partner Gareth Williams had a series of opportunities.

Borough midfielder Robbie Kember blocked one Williams' effort and defender Marc Pullan denied Coleman with a last-ditch tackle.

Former Worthing striker Coleman flashed another shot wide and allowed Lee Hook to save when one-on-one with the Borough goalkeeper.

The best Borough could produce came from Pat Harding.

Outstanding in the 3-1 midweek home victory against Hayes and Yeading in midweek, Harding looked lively and he forced Bromley goalkeeper Gareth Williams to save low by his left-hand post on the half- hour.

It was goalkeeping heroics from Hook which kept Wilson's side in the game as he twice saved from Williams.

Any hope that Bromley would rue their missed chances were dispelled when they took the lead after 72 minutes.

Hook turned a Williams' shot out for a corner and Luke l'Anson bundled home the resultant flag kick.

Borough threw on all three of their subs but it did not seem to make any difference to their fortunes.

Former AFC Wimbledon players Karl Beckford and De Bolla controlled the Bromley midfield as Borough struggled to find rhythm and cohesion.

De Bolla doubled Bromley's advantage from a Nic McDonnell pass in the second minute of injury time.

Borough reduced the arrears a minute later when skipper Paul Armstrong headed home Lovett's cross.

The bobbly pitch did not lend itself to much decent football but Borough could not deny that the visitors deserved the points.

Eastbourne Borough: Hook, Ballard, Jenkins, Kember (sub: Smart 62), Lovett, Pullan, Harding, Armstrong, Tait (Nathan Crabb 67), Ramsay, Matt Crabb (Budd 62). Subs: Baker, Lightwood.

Bromley: Gareth Williams, Corneille, Wood, Beckford, Henriques, Sobers, I'anson, Osborn, Coleman, Gareth Williams, De Bolla. Subs: Bowry, McDonnell, Davis, Haverson, Duo.

Referee: C Hatzidakis Can Borough bounce back from this defeat?