Eastbourne Borough manager Garry Wilson praised his side’s fighting spirit after Matt Smart’s late winner clinched a 1-0 success at Grays Athletic.

Borough were under pressure for long periods as Grays missed a host of first-half chances including a penalty by Stuart Thurgood.

The only blemish was Matt Crabb’s injury time dismissal for two yellow cards.

A delighted Wilson said: “It’s fantastic to be leaving here with three points. The grit and determination we showed was a real credit to all the players.

“We regrouped after a poor first 20 minutes and I think we worked our way into the game.

“Grays came at us with real venom at the start but Lee Hook pulled off some tremendous saves and I thought we got better as the game progressed."

Borough made a nervy start and Hook prevented Grays from taking the lead in the second minute when he pushed striker Jamie Taylor’s crisp effort around a post.

Three minutes later Ben Austin lost possession and the home side broke forward with pace only for the unmarked Barry Cogan to fire his effort wastefully wide from just ten yards.

Borough’s defence looked anxious and Neil Jenkins’ wreckless challenge on Cogan in the box resulted a 15th-minute penalty.

Thurgood took the spot-kick but Hook saved well as Grays missed their third consecutive penalty this season. Borough’s only chance of the first half was wasted by Jean-Michel Sigere when the former French under-21 international found space on the left but shot wide with Andy Atkin and Jay Lovett well placed in the middle.

The second half display was typical Borough as they defended solidly with Darren Baker and Marc Pullan at their best to limit Grays to few opportunities.

Nathan Crabb went on for the injured Atkin and Allan Tait and Matt Crabb replaced Sigere and Jenkins respectively.

Matt Crabb had Borough’s first shot on goal after 84 minutes but it was his free-kick that set up Smart’s late winner.

Crabb delivered the perfect cross and Smart rose the highest in a packed penalty area to head beyond Ross Flitney to claim all three points in the 90th minute.

Grays Athletic: Flitney, Gier, Wilnis, Stuart, Gross, Welsh, Cogan, Thurgood, Bailey (Molesley 65), Taylor (Reid 73), Kedwell. Subs not used: Arnold, Elliott, Campana. Booked: Stuart, Molesley, Wilnis.

Eastbourne Borough: Hook 8, Austin 7, Baker 7, Pullan 8, Jenkins 6 (sub M. Crabb 73), Lovett 6, Smart 7, Armstrong 7, Harding 6, Sigere 6 (sub Tait 64), Atkin 6 (sub N. Crabb 70). Subs not used: Winterton, Budd. Booked: Matt Crabb. Sent Off: Matt Crabb (90).

Attendance: 641.

Referee: Mr R. Fletcher (Derbyshire).