Ahead of the game in East Sussex, manager Scott Rogers made three changes as James Dodd, Sam Pearson and Michael Smith were all restored to the starting line-up.

On a bright and sunny day down on the coast, the ball was being moved around quickly on the 3G surface at Priory Lane, but nothing clear-cut was created.

Eastbourne had the first half-chance when a well-worked free-kick on the corner of the area saw Kai Corbett fire just wide, before the former Chelmsford man forced Max Harris into a good low save from a more central 25 yard free-kick.

The Seagulls’ best opportunity came when a ball in from the left found Louis Britton close to the penalty spot, and he held it up and laid the ball back to Dodd, whose 25-yard effort with his right foot was held onto by Ryan Sandford in the Borough goal.

Harris made another good save as he pushed away Josh Anifowose’s curling effort, as Harris’ saves and some dogged Weston defending ensured it was goalless at the break.

HALF-TIME: Eastbourne Borough 0-0 Weston-super-Mare AFC

Despite having less of the possession in the first-half, The Seagulls took the lead in the 47th minute.

Luke Coulson floated in a free-kick towards Charlie Cummins, who headed the ball goalwards towards Britton who got a touch to take the ball away from Sandford to allow Sam Avery the simple task of tapping in from close range to break the deadlock.

Weston were looking comfortable but Eastbourne were given a golden chance to equalise when Pemi Aderoju nipped in front of Callum Wood but was tripped by the former Bristol City man. The referee pointed to the spot. Aderoju dusted himself down and struck his penalty, but Harris made another wonderful save as he dived to his right to push out the penalty. The rebound fell kindly to Anifowose but he blazed the ball out of the ground, much to Weston’s relief.

Arthur Grout tried his luck with a dipping volley, before Dodd’s fantastic pass found Coulson who laid the ball into the path of substitute George Birch, whose left-footed strike from the edge of the area was tipped over by Sandford, who made an impressive save.

Agonisingly for Weston, Eastbourne were to grab a late equaliser as a quick move from a throw-in resulted in Corbett sweeping the ball home. Corbett had been denied twice in the first-half, but not this time.

Not long after, the referee indicated seven minutes of injury-time, and both sides looked as though they weren’t prepared to settle for the draw.

Weston forced a late flurry of free-kicks and on the final one Emlyn Lewis was clattered into right on the edge of the area, and up stepped Britton to strike the ball into the bottom corner just inside the post to confirm a brilliant three points on the road and spark scenes of jubilation for the euphoric travelling party.

FULL-TIME: Eastbourne Borough  1-2 Weston-super-Mare AFC (Corbett 87′; Avery 47′, Britton 90’+9)

Weston: Harris, Smith, Avery, Lewis, Martin (Wood 56′), Cummins, Dodd, Dawes (Birch 75′), Pearson (Hicks 45’+1), Coulson, Britton

Substitutes not used: Glover, King, Waite

Attendance: 839

Man of the Match: Sam Avery. Another fantastic performance from the veteran centre-half, breaking the deadlock at Priory Lane and putting in a strong defensive performance alongside Emlyn Lewis.