Right from the start Peacehaven looked like they meant business and with just four minutes played, Josh Marshall (pictured) hit a screamer of a free kick to register his intent.

Marshall was superb throughout and put Haven ahead in the 27th minute with a superbly taken low free kick from 20 yards.

New signing Tyler Capon was also causing problems for the Steyning defence and although he didn’t score on Saturday, his speed and mobility will cause defences all sorts of trouble, and on this showing it won’t be long before he starts hitting the back of the net on a regular basis.

Jake Le Grange nearly set Capon up after he bombed down the wing and sent in a teasing cross which the player just couldn’t make the most of. And then on 28 minutes Manny Okorougo sent in a brilliant driven cross which caused all sorts of problems and which Capon went very close from.

Half time: Peacehaven & Telscombe 1, Steyning Town 0.

Peacehaven had dominated the first period and Loz Sanded in the Peacehaven goal was hardly bothered. The home side came out chasing the second and decisive goal and with 47 minutes played Curt Ford saw his effort tipped over the bar by Banasco-Zaragoza in the Steyning goal, one of a series of outstanding saves the ‘keeper made to deny Peacehaven.

Three minutes later Marshall saw an effort tipped over the bar by the Steyning stopper and with 53 minutes played Marshall went agonisingly close as he was put through and his effort trickled tantalisingly past the post.

Peacehaven had Steyning pinned back, but could not find the elusive killer blow. With just over an hour played the game started to simmer over with a few flash points and again Josh Marshall went close with another long range free kick.

But as all fans know 1-0 is a dangerous lead, and with around 20 minutes left to play Peacehaven began to take their foot off the gas.

And as reminder that the visitors still had something to give, Steyning hit the bar. Would this be a wake up call for the home side?

On 78 minutes Capon could have sealed things for the home side but was denied by Banasco-Zaragoza. Prior to this Steyning had a couple of good chances one of which saw Sanded make a brilliant save to tip the ball over the bar.

And with just eight minutes left to play Steyning substitute Joe Fitzpatrick rose at the far post to head home an excellent equaliser.

Straightaway from the restart Peacehaven upped the tempo and Capon, Ford and substitute Charlie Lambert all went close in quick succession with the Steyning ’keeper making two brilliant saves to deny the home side.

With the clock ticking down, Steyning were awarded a free kick-kick about 30 yards out, close to the Steyning dugout. This would be their final opportunity of the afternoon. But instead of making the most of it and going for the win, an instruction looked like it was passed to the players who decided to take it short and headed to the corner flag to wind down the clock. They had clearly preferred to settle for one point.

Maybe, just maybe Steyning had decided they couldn’t risk handing Peacehaven possession and become victims to another late strike? Who knows?

Final score: Peacehaven & Telscombe 1, Steyning Town 1.

Peacehaven & Telscombe: Sanded, Kilula, Okorougo, Grant, Cheeseman, Allen, Le Grange, Brocklebank, Ford, Capon, Marshall (J). Subs: Marshall (S), Lambert, Bant, White, Secka.

Attendance: 181.

Peacehaven are next in action on Tuesday evening when AFC Uckfield visit the Sports Park, kick-off 7.45. And then on Saturday September 14, Haven are at home to Spelthorne Sports in the FA Vase, kick-off 3pm.