Blue Square South Boxing Day Wrap

League leaders Lewes played to an exciting draw with promotion hopefuls Eastbourne Borough while rampant Bromley put eight goals past a hapless Thurrock defence.

Bishop's Stortford 3-4 Braintree Town

Dave Patterson's Braintree Town squad battled to a hard-fought victory over Bishop's Stortford at Woodside Park on Wednesday afternoon.

The visitors broke the deadlock after eight minutes thanks to a Bradley Quinton penalty kick but the Bishops drew level fives minutes later when defender Matthew Jones found the back of the net.

A Michael Stanbrook own goal restored Braintree's lead just a minute later but Greg Pearson restored parity on 24 minutes.

The Iron claimed a two-goal lead as Chris Sullivan bagged a brace with goals in the 60th and 71st minutes.

Bishop's substitute Loui Fazakerley got his name on the scoresheet late on but the visitors managed to hold on and claim all three points.

Bognor Regis Town v Havant and Waterlooville

Bognor's Alex Haddon scored a late equaliser to help his side earn a share of the spoils with Havant and Waterlooville on Boxing Day.

The Hawks claimed a 60th minute lead through striker Richard Pacquette but substitute Haddon had other ideas as he helped his side earn a valuable point.

Bromley 8-1 Thurrock

Bromley gave their opponents a lesson in football on Boxing Day as the Thurrock defence failed to cope with a rampant attack.

The Ravens got off to a flying start with Luke Ianson finding the back of the net after just two minutes of play.

Danny Hockton doubled their lead on 19 minutes and netted his second just before the half-time whistle.

Gareth Williams added Bromley's fourth just after the break and Rickel White made it 5-0 on 50 minutes.

Goalkeeper Wayne Wilson found the back of the net in the 54th minute before Thurrock pulled one back through Che Stadhart's 65th minute penalty kick.

Hockton popped up again in the 72nd minute to complete an impressive hat-trick and Williams completed the rout in the 87th minute to complete a well taken brace.

Dorchester 1-1 Bath City

Strugglers Dorchester Town did well to pick up a point against high flying Bath City at the Avenue Stadium on Wednesday.

The home side drew first blood with Jones Awah finding the net on the hour mark and Lewis Hogg bagged the equaliser for Bath 12 minutes later.

Eastleigh 1-1 Basingstoke

Eastleigh and Basingstoke battled to a 1-1 draw at Silverlake Stadium with not much to separate the two teams in the end.

The home side opened their account after 19 minutes thanks to striker Paul Sales while Basingstoke battled for the entire match to earn an 80th minute equaliser through Tyrone Smith.

Hampton & Richmond v Sutton Utd

The U's scored a second-half equaliser to earn a share of the spoils with Hampton & Richmond at Beveree Stadium.

Sutton got off to a flying start when Jack Haverson found the back of the net after just four minutes but the hosts drew level thanks to a ninth minute penalty by Godfrey.

Ian Hodges put the Beavers ahead just before the break but their lead didn't last as substitute Liam Wright netted a 72nd minute equaliser.

Lewes v Eastbourne Borough

The Rooks maintained their six-point lead at the top of the table with a draw against second-placed Eastbourne at the Dripping Pan.

The hosts broke the deadlock just before half time as top scorer Paul Booth calmly slotted home from the penalty spot.

Substitute Jamie Cade gave Lewes a two-goal lead in the 72nd minute and the league leaders seemed to be heading for a comfortable home win in front of 2299 fans.

All credit to Eastbourne though, as they clawed their way back into the game in the 87th minute thanks to a Matt Smart effort.

With a draw within reach, the Sports continued to push and bagged a 90th minute equaliser through Andy Atkins.

Maidenhead Utd v Hayes & Yeading

Maidenhead United slipped closer to the dreaded drop zone after suffering a home defeat at the hands of Hayes & Yeading.

The first half ended goalless and the 368 fans that did show up, had to wait until the 76th minute to see James Mulley score the solitary goal.

St Albans 0-2 Cambridge City

Cambridge city earned themselves some breathing room in the bottom half of the table with a comfortable win over St Albans City at Clarence Park.

Michael Gash opened for Cambridge after 15 minutes and striker partner Neil Midgley notched their second just before the half-time break.

Welling United 0-1 Fisher Athletic

Fisher Athletic earned themselves some breathing room in the bottom half of the table with a narrow win over the Wings at Park View Road.

23-year-old forward Jeff Goulding scored the solitary goal in the 39th minute and the Fish managed to hold onto their lead until the final whistle.

Weston-super-Mare 2-2 Newport County

Weston and Newport played to an entertaining draw at Woodspring Stadium on Wednesday afternoon as neither of the two sides could create a winning goal in the second half.

The visitors broke the deadlock after 22 minutes thanks to striker Craig Hughes but the Seagulls drew level virtually from the restart with Andrew Robertson finding the back of the net.

Andrew Gurney put the home side ahead just before the half-time whistle and Weston's Julian Aslop netted the equaliser after 62 minutes.