Weston went down to their fourth straight Vanarama National South defeat at home to Eastbourne Borough.

WESTON-S-MARE 1

EASTBOURNE BOROUGH 2

WESTON relinquished a first-half lead as they crashed to their fourth straight Vanarama National South defeat to remain pointless at the foot of the table.

After a bright start which saw them take an early lead, Weston opted to play with just Scott Wilson up front, who is not the tallest of players. Instead of playing to feet against a big defence, Weston persisted with high balls down the middle, making Wilson’s task impossible and the side never threatened as an attack after their early success.

Eastbourne were first to show in the opening minutes with Kane Haysman testing home keeper Luke Purnell and Elliott Romain going close with a header.

Weston broke the deadlock on 18 minutes when Eastbourne central defender and skipper Ian Simpemba slipped when in possession, giving Dayle Grubb room to race from halfway and beat keeper Lewis Carey, who played a handful of games for Weston a couple of seasons ago while on loan from Bristol City.

In another Weston attack, Grubb fed Jacob Cane who fired narrowly across goal two minutes later.

Eastbourne equalised on 53 minutes when Nathan Collier was allowed to make a strong run through the home defence and set up Romain to beat Purnell from a narrow angle.

The winner came on 62 minutes as Eastbourne substitutes Darren Lok and Nat Pinney combined for Lok to score with the defence backing off.

Weston brought on Tristan Plummer to partner Wilson up front and at last the home attack began to show. Plummer fired narrowly across goal and Wilson forced a good sane from Carey, as the Seagulls forced the game’s only corner in the last minute.

WESTON STATS

Goals: Weston, Grubb (18). Eastbourne, Romain (53), Lok (62).

Shots on target: Weston 2, Eastbourne 3.

Shots off target: Weston 3, Eastbourne 5.

Corners: Weston 1.

Offsides: Weston 5, Eastbourne 3.

Free kicks conceded: Weston 16, Eastbourne 9.

Referee: Andrew Laver (Portsmouth). Good game.

Bookings: Weston, Keary, Ingram, Wilson. Eastbourne, Watts, Lok.

Attendance: 326.

Weston squad: Purnell, Withey, Barnes, Keary, Ingram (Plummer 66), Fortune, Cane (Edge 66), Byrne, Wilson, Grubb, McClennan (Ash 84). Subs (not used): Llewellyn, Mawford.

ON Saturday, Weston break new ground when they travel to Oxford City, who transferred from Conference North this season.