Gary Abbott admitted to mixed feelings after watching 10-man Sittingbourne battle back from 4-2 down to draw 4-4 in their Ryman League Division 1 South trip to Eastbourne Town on Wednesday night.

Tom Bradbrook (pictured) scored twice, but they had new signing Joe Vines sent off before half-time.

Boss Abbott said: “We gave away three sloppy goals, and didn’t deserve anything out of the game, but we could have won 7-4 at the end, after missing three open goals in the last 10 minutes.”

Torrential rain fell throughout the game on a soggy night in Sussex, and Bourne were 2-1 down when Vines was dismissed for violent conduct. Ryan Johnson got the first, before Tom Bradbrook made it 2-2 before half-time.

Eastbourne scored twice in two minutes to lead 4-2 early in the second half, but Bradbrook's second and new-boy Joe Bannan grabbed Brickies a point.

Abbott has confirmed that Maidstone United have lodged a seven-day approach for Vines.

Sittingbourne begin their FA Cup campaign with a Preliminary Round home tie against Andover tomorrow (Saturday). The winners will face Chatham Town in the next round.