Worthing should have taken maximum points from the top-of-the-table clash but let a 3-1 lead slip in the final half-hour and had to settle for a draw.

Rebels were caught napping when Jon Henry-Hayden gave the hosts the lead on two minutes, but two goals inside three minutes from Sam Francis and Mark Knee put Alan Pook's side ahead before the interval.

Knee, leading the attack alongside Francis with Gavin Geddes unwell, looked to have put Worthing in the driving seat when he scored again on 61 minutes by heading in a Ben Carrington cross from the right.

But Staines replied within four minutes through Steve McCarthy and unmarked substitute Dean Pitcher punished Rebels in the last minute.

Worthing, who have now won only one of their last five games, gave a debut to former Albion defender James Virgo who has recently been signed from Burgess Hill.

Former Albion striker Craig Maskell was at the centre of Staines best attacking play.