Eastbourne Borough were frustrated by struggling Farnborough and their Priory Lane pitch last night.

Borough, who still have their eye on a place in the Conference south playoffs, dropped two valuable points.

They were unable to break down opponents who adopted defensive tactics on a uneven surface that did not suit Borough's passing game.

Borough boss Garry Wilson said: "It got very frustrating and we were arguing amongst ourselves as the game wore on.

"The pitch made it difficult to establish our normal tempo. Perhaps we should have adapted to it.

"We put in lots of effort but could not find a way through. They came to defend.

"But we should have made their keeper work more than we did."

Borough had managed to stage just one home game at their Priory Lane ground this year before last night due to a persistent problem with a waterlogged pitch.

Both sides lacked urgency in the early stages of the game.

That was surprising because the visitors need every point they can get in their fight against relegation while Borough still have an eye on the play-offs.

It was the home side who created the opening chances amid long periods of scrappy play.

Pat Harding, who scored twice in the 3-0 win against Fisher Athletic on Saturday, headed wide from close range from a Neil Jenkins cross after nine minutes.

Then Jay Lovett, in a similar position, nodded a curling pass from Adam Wilde ball over the crossbar.

Harding had another effort from a superb Paul Armstrong through ball blocked by Farnborough defender Jamie Whisken.

A bobbly surface did not help either side play constructive football and Borough struggled for rhythm and cohesion in front of a small and subdued crowd. But the home side had enough opportunities to have secured victory and created three chances in three minutes midway through the second half.

Harding shot across the goal and Ben Austin had an effort blocked close to the line by Farnborough defender Jay Gasson.

Sixty seconds later the impressive Lovett saw his drive saved by Kevin Scriven.

Scott Ramsay then forced Scriven to hold his firm header from Lovett's cross on 69 minutes and Wilde's cross shot was also blocked by the keeper.

Farnborough, who included former Crawley player Sean Hankin, rarely threatened apart from the pace of Bradley Garness.

Darren Baker did well to halt a dangerous run from the striker.

Borough goalkeeper Lee Hook was forced to save from Ben Townsend as the visitors had a late flurry in which substitute Michael Charles caused concern for the home rearguard.

Eastbourne Borough: Hook, Baker, Jenkins, Smart (McArthur 81 minutes), Austin, Pullan, Lovett, Armstrong, Ramsay, Harding (Tait 72 minutes), Wilde (Crabb 72 minutes). Unused sub: Lightwood.

Farnborough: Scriven, Rumbold, Whisken, Townsend, Gasson, Hankin, Smith, Pym, Ciardini, Harkness, Garness (Charles 74 minutes). Substitutes: Theo, Pestle, Pattison, Venter.

Referee: J Comley (Windsor).

Man of the match: Matt Smart (Eastbourne Borough).

Attendance: 434.