We started the brighter of the two sides, playing some fantastic football and moving the ball around the visiting defence with real pace. That strong start paid off after just ten minutes. Jimmy Muitt chased a ball over the top from Jason Prior and, with the defence and goalkeeper hesitating, pounced to poke it into an empty net. 1-0.

We kept up the pressure, pushing Eastbourne deeper into their own half. But moments later, George Alexander was threaded through on goal and brought down by George Francomb, who was controversially sent off for what the referee deemed a professional foul.

Despite the setback, we continued to push forward. Brennan Camp headed just over from a set piece, and the visitors struggled to create much of note. Their best chance came in the 36th minute when Courtney Clarke cut in from the left and let fly from distance – but his effort flew well wide of the far post, never troubling Harrison Foulkes.

We doubled our lead deep into first-half stoppage time. Dominic Odusanya brought down Tony Craig in the box, and Jason Prior stepped up to calmly slot the penalty into the bottom corner. 2-0.

HALF-TIME: DORKING WANDERERS 2-0 EASTBOURNE BOROUGH

Eastbourne came out with intent after the break, and despite a strong five-minute spell from us, they pulled one back in the 51st minute. Clarke unleashed a rocket from range, drilling it into the far corner to give the visitors a lifeline. 2-1.

The game turned scrappy, with few clear chances for either side. We defended brilliantly to keep Borough at bay. Jimmy Muitt came close to adding a third, cutting inside and forcing Wright into a tricky stop on 55 minutes.

Eastbourne kept the pressure on, sending in cross after cross, but we held firm – and then hit back to seal the points. Brennan Camp and Tony Craig linked up nicely on the edge of the area, allowing Camp to wrong-foot Wright and slot a near-post effort into the bottom corner, sparking jubilation in The Bank. 3-1.

With time running out, desperation crept in for the visitors. A long-range volley sailed well over the stand, and Foulkes confidently dealt with a string of high balls. The ten men had overcome the eleven – and moved us to within three points of the league leaders.

FULL-TIME: DORKING WANDERERS 3-1 EASTBOURNE BOROUGH

Match report by Henry Bennett