Duncan Howarth redeemed himself by scoring the winner for East Grinstead two minutes from time to earn his side the points at Formby.

Howarth, who was at fault when Formby equalised, cracked the ball in from the top of the D to secure a 2-1 win.

Grinstead started the match slowly but gradually got to grips with a difficult uneven pitch and began to create chances.

Ben Payne finally broke the deadlock after 14 minutes from a short corner and Grinstead were unlucky not to win a couple of penalties when Steve Edmonds and Andy Medcalf had their sticks checked when through on the keeper.

A poor pass from Howarth allowed Formby to equalise 15 seconds after the break.

However, the midfield re-established control with Richard Payne and Gregor Eiden prominent.

Grinstead finally got the win they deserved when Howarth atoned for his earlier blunder by firing home after Formby were reduced to 10 men following a dreadful foul on Eiden.

Coach Ian Pattison said: "It's always very difficult to win away at Formby, as we found to our cost last season, and I would have been satisfied with a point.

"To get all three on a pitch that doesn't suit us and against a tough uncompromising defence made the long trip worthwhile."