Eastbourne Borough FC fans arrived at Priory Lane with high hopes of continuing their FA Cup run but were left shaking their heads after their side went down to four second-half goals against Weymouth.

Flying high at the top of Conference South, Eastbourne were backed by more than 2,000 supporters anticipating a win and progress to their first ever FA Cup second round.

Fans were predicting scorelines of 3-2 or 2-1 in favour of Borough's part-timers, despite facing professionals from the Blue Square Premier league.

John Snell, 48, from Peacehaven, said: "I think it will be an open game.

"Eastbourne are favourites because they are top of their league."

Mr Snell, whose son Clive played for Borough last season, picked out Jay Lovett and Pat Harding as key men for the home side.

Teenage fan Jack Moore, from Stones Cross, Eastbourne, was watching Borough while his father follwed Brighton and Hove Albion to Cheltenham.

The 16-year-old said: "I think there'll be a few goals.

"I think it'll be 2-1 to Borough."

Hardcore supporters in the Peter Fountain Stand were in fine voice, with the thumping of a bass drum adding to the atmosphere as Borough mounted some useful attacks.

But despite chances at both ends, the first half ended goalless.

Nick Pearson, 44, of Eastbourne's Old Town, said: "They are doing well.

"There doesn't seem to be too much difference in class between the two teams."

He picked out centre-half Marc Pullan - the eventual Man of the Match - as a key man for Borough.

Jim Hunt, 57, from Hailsham, had brought his ten-year-old son James to see his first live football match.

Mr Hunt said: "It's a good atmosphere.

"I think Borough have dealt with them fine at the back."

The clean sheet after 45 minutes left Supporters Club chairman Alan Hodges dreaming of a clash with Arsenal - who had an unbeaten record in common with Eastbourne at the start of the game - at the Emirates Stadium in January.

He said: "I think the Borough have played quite well.

"We have created one or two good chances."

He said the fitness of Weymouth's professionals would not give them the edge over Borough's part-timers as the game wore on.

He said: "Our unbeaten run hasn't happened by accident."

But when the second half got under way it was Weymouth who broke the deadlock.

The Terras made a substitution as they prepared to take a corner. The new man, Jefferson Louis, ran on and scored from the set-piece with his first touch of the ball.

The crowd could taste an equaliser thirteen minutes later when Borough substitute Allan Tait appeared to have been brough down in the box.

Players and fans appealed for a penalty - but instead Tait was judged to have dived and was given a yellow card for his trouble.

Play resumed amid a chorus of boos, but the tide had turned against Borough.

Substitute Stuart Beavon found the net in the 80th, 85th and 88th minutes, his hat-trick rubbing salt into the home side's wounds.

Supporters Club treasurer Miles Bassett made his feelings clear as he left the stadium, citing the referee's penalty call as the turning point.

The departing crowds agreed the scoreline did not reflect Eastbourne's efforts.

Paul Clark, 50, from Bexhill, said: "You can see there is a gulf between the Blue Square Premier and the Conference South.

"But the scoreline was a little bit harsh."

Adrian Butcher, 44, of Old Town, said: "Borough played the better football in the first half.

"But Weymouth have got ex-League and current League players on loan.

"Eastbourne couldn't live with them. It's a shame."

Dave Bosley, 60, from Bexhill, said: "Once they brought the sub on it made all the difference.

"I think Borough now recognise what they have got to step up to if they go up."

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