THURROCK twice came from behind to finish 3-2 victors over second place Eastbourne Borough in an entertaining Blue Square South game at Ship Lane.

Eastbourne took the lead in the 33rd minute through Andy Atkin's powerful header.

Eight minutes later, the home side were level. Thurrock won a corner after Fola Orilonishe's goal-bound shot was deflected out of play. David Bryant then volleyed home from close range after a goal-mouth scramble.

Eastbourne started the second half on the attack, and just as it looked like Matt Paine had seen Adam Wild's run out for a goal kick, the linesman awarded the away side a penalty which Paul Armstrong converted.

On 58 minutes, Eastbourne will feel like they were hard done by as Thurrock were awarded a dubious penalty after Che Stadhart was fouled on the corner of the box by Darren Budd. Fleet captain Greg Lincoln capped off another sublime appearance by smashing the ball home for the equaliser.

Thurrock continued to press forward and Lee Hook pulled off a save worthy of a point for the away side as he dived full stretch to tip Paine's header out. Hook then may have got the faintest of touches on Orilonishe's shot which hit the post and out for safety.

But Hook could do nothing about Thurrock's winner as on 73 minutes, Bryant turned provider for Stadhart who converted from close range.

Eastbourne had chances at the death to grab an equaliser but first David Blackmore's tip onto the cross bar from Neil Jenkins' shot was headed out by Kenny Clark, and then Wild slid the ball past the on-rushing Blackmore but Clark superbly cleared off the line to cap another fine display.

Other results: Bath City 2 Cambridge City 0, Bishop's Stortford 0 Basingstoke 0, Fisher Ath 3 Bognor Regis 1, Hampton & Richmond 4 Dorchester 0, Havant & Waterlooville 2 Sutton 0, Hayes & Yeading 3 Braintree 3, Lewes 3 Eastleigh 2, Newport Co 3 Bromley 1, Welling 0 St Albans 0.