A resilient Mile Oak side came from behind twice against Bexhill United last night to secure their spot in the Sussex Transport Senior Cup Second Round, with Jacob Cooke heading in a last gasp winner.

Bexhill started on the front foot, dominating the ball and pushing the home side back with Max Hollobone hitting the bar early on.

Then just nine minutes in, they had the opener when Dan Rogers met a good free-kick delivery in the centre of the box and smashed his header home.

The visitors kept the pressure on, but Mile Oak were standing firm and keeping themselves in the game.

Bexhill could have doubled their advantage on 34 minutes though, when Tyler Capon was played clean through, rounded the goalkeeper, but his square ball was put wide by Ash Latuske with an open net.

The Pirates were punished moments later when Mike Waller teed up Harry Robins on the edge of the box, beating his man, and firing past Hobden in the United goal.

Bexhill came out firing in the second-half and soon regained their lead. Hollobone received a short corner, whipping it to the near post and it was finished beautifully by Tyler Capon.

Despite all of the away sides possession, Mile Oak were still finding chances of their own and less than 10 minutes after going behind, they levelled the score for a second time. Robins got on the end of a loose ball just inside the box, and he rifled a fearsome half-volley into the top corner.

The visitors carried on putting the pressure on looking to regain their lead but struggled to break the strong Mile Oak backline.

The home side could have found their third in the 83rd minute when Robins, on a hat-trick, struck low into the hands of Hobden on the edge of the box.

Bexhill returned fire and had back-to-back chances, firstly Aaron Capon driving down the left and got denied at the near post, and shortly after, he linked up with Hollobone who fired over from range.

They carried on peppering the Mile Oak goal deep into stoppage time, with Harry Marchant driving one low at the near post but it was again well-saved by Louis Peach.

They were then made to pay in the end as Mile Oak snatched the winner right at the death with Cooke getting on the end of a free-kick, directing his header powerfully past Hobden.

(A selection of photographs can be found on Facebook - courtesy of Simon Roe Photography)
SUSSEX SENIOR CHALLENGE CUP ROUND 1 RESULTS

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