Wealdstone were denied a home victory on their debut in the Vanarama Conference South after a 90th minute Eastbourne leveller saw them held to a 1-1 draw. 

Sub Dean Bown earned a well deserved point for the visitors who fought back against an attack-minded Wealdstone side.

The Stones started strongly against Eastbourne, who had their pre-match warm up disrupted due to poor traffic, pushing the visitors to the edge.

But Wealdstone opened the scoring through the thunderous effort by Luke Pigden after 30 minutes.

The hosts piled on the pressure with Richard Pacquette finding space but he failed to find the target.

Eastbourne threw everything at the Stones’ goal, but keeper Jonathan North was in fine form, no more so than when he saved a well-struck penalty in the 58th minute from Dean Sinclair.

But something had to give, and the visitors secured a point through Brown’s headed effort with wide man Gavin McCallum grabbing the assist.

Stones boss Gordon Bartlett said: “We are frustrated at the time of the goal but the character of the side when we were under the cosh for long periods was outstanding and has carried over from last season.

“The bottom line is that Eastbourne deserved a point as we just couldn't get a foothold in the second half as we defended deeper and deeper.”