Nigel Nash saw his Peacehaven side let slip a 2-0 lead at the end of 24 torrid hours at Piddinghoe Avenue.
But the new boss was pleased to draw 2-2 at home to Chichester after setting up his new management team just hours before kick-off.
Nash had been standing in while Peter Edwards took a break. Edwards then decided business commitments prevented him from returning to the helm, so Nash stepped in with Jim Thompson and Micky Mansell completing the managerial team.
Rene Duchossoy, a star of Peacehaven's great days of the Nineties, has been recalled to midfield.
Nash said: "When Peter said he was not coming back, I told the club I wanted the job.
"We have been through the mill recently so it's good just to get a point."
Joe Kitambie and Leighton Allen put Peacehaven in charge but a foul on Matt Osbourne allowed Paul Thomas to reply from the spot.
Roger Moore fired the equaliser at the far post after Matt Smith had crossed.
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