Ben Austin's goal has deservedly put Eastbourne Borough on level terms at half-time at The Lamb.

The visitors trailed to Iyseden Christie's early goal but have finished the half much the stronger team.

Tamworth gave warning of their threat when Neil MacKenzie curled a free kick into the side netting after just four minutes.

Two minutes later the home side were ahead as Borough made a complete mess of clearing a corner. After failing to head away three times Neil Jenkins hooked the ball high into the air which Danny Knowles was unable to collect under pressure from Christie who then stabbed it home from six yards.

It was just the start Borough did not want and it could have got worse but for a fine save from Knowles to push away a fierce 25-yarder from Shaw.

Borough slowly got to grips with the game though and began to create openings.

Liam Enver-Marum should have played in Nathan Crabb for a clear run of goal but his pass was behind the striker and the chance was gone.

Enver-Marum then flicked a header at goalkeeper Chamberlin Fankem which was easily saved while Matt Crabb and Paul Armstrong both had shots off target from long range.

The breakthrough came in the 38th minute from a Matt Crabb corner. Gary Elphick's header hit a defender on the line and while Borough appealed for a penalty Austin smashed home the loose ball from ten yards.

It was no less than Borough deserved and they could have gone ahead in injury time when Matt Crabb picked out Jamie Taylor in the area but his shot was blocked.