Aveley travelled down to the Sussex south coast looking for their first win of the season, and they couldn't have got off to a better start.

Within five minutes, Manny Ogunrinde passed to Josh Anifowose who went passed one defender, centred the ball towards Charlee Hughes in the middle of the box, but a mix up between Eastoburne goalkeeper Wright and centre half Barry saw the latter putting the ball into his own net to put the Millers ahead.

Aveley continued to create a couple of efforts on goal, with the central defender connecting with a Josh Anifowose cross from the right, but Gibbs' header was saved by Wright. Midfielder Ikechi Eze was next to try his luck as he saw his free-kick well blocked by a strong wall.

Eastbourne grew into the game and just before the 30 minute mark they got their equaliser. A corner took a double deflection with the final touch coming off of Aveley centre half Harry Beadle before looping past Jack West in the Aveley goal and into the goal.

The Millers responded well as Charlee Hughes saw his goal-bound effort blocked brilliantly by Diarra, and moments later it was Aveley's Harry Gibbs who had a glorious chance to score from six yards out but he fired over the crossbar from Luke Allen's fierce cross into the box.

Heading into the second half and just as the heavens opened and the rain poured down, Eastbourne took the lead. A hopeful long-ball landed to the feet of substitute Ballard who couldn't believe his fortune as he ran through on goal and fired home unchallenged.

Aveley huffed and puffed to get back into the game, and debutante David Kawa had a great opening but again a brilliant last-ditch defensive block denied Aveley the chance of a point. Razzaq Coleman De-Graft almost equalised in the 89th minute but goalkeeper Wright just managed to make the save, closing his legs at the last moment to secure the hosts all three points.