REBELS GO OUT TO LATE DOUBLE PUNCH

In a welcome distraction from the league campaign, the Rebels viewed this home tie as an opportunity to get back into action after a frustrating two-week absence and to avenge their 3-0 league defeat at Eastleigh. But the outcome hinged on one Worthing attack 15 minutes from time. Jones Awuah raced through following a error from keeper Lee Webber but with composure needed he could only screw his shot tamely wide.

With just five minutes remaining, both sides hell bent on securing the winner but extra-time looking likely, Eastleigh finally made the breakthrough.

Bowers' whipped cross found Paul Sales whose textbook header gave Will Packham no chance, low down to his left. The game was made safe two minutes later. As the Rebels pressed everything into attack, a swift Eastleigh counter ended with Andy Forbes toe-poking home from six yards and sending Worthing to defeat.

The visitors had looked razor sharp in the early exchanges with two wonderful chances going begging in the opening 10 minutes. Packham had to be at his best to deny Forbes whose close-range header looked destined for the net. Minutes later, a loose Worthing pass let in Tyronne Bowers whose chipped effort over the advancing Packham sailed over the bar.

This early warning certainly awoke Worthing who pressed their visitors back for the remainder of the half. Quick thinking from Shaun Grice at a midfield free kick released Nko Ekoku down the left. His goalbound shot looked set to give the Rebels the lead, only for the Eastleigh defenders to scramble the ball clear off the line.

Worthing then looked as if they wanted to take out their recent frustrations on their visitors. Mark Knee smashed a 25-yard effort onto the crossbar, then cut in on his unfavoured right foot and unleashed a fantastic shot, only to see it rebound back out.

Rebels' ability to cross the ball from either flank, from wingers Liam Collins and Knee, left the Eastleigh defenders working overtime and their goal led a charmed life. From one such cross Ekoku's effort was charged down and his follow-up blocked.

At half-time Worthing boss Alan Pook must have been wishing for more of the same in the second period, while Eastleigh enjoyed the calm of the dressing room to discuss the game plan.

The pattern of the second half took on a familiar feel early on when Awuah rashly blazed over from 10 yards. It was typical see-sawing cup tie football from then on in.

The dangerous looking Forbes watched his diving header deflect wide to safety off Stewart Holmes, then Holmes tried his luck at the other with a foray and 30-yard effort blasted towards the top corner.

Webber turned it over the bar and the stalemate lasted until the closing stages.

WORTHING: Packham; Holmes, Pullan, Head, Lutwyche, Knee; Collins, Rogers, Grice; Ekoku, Awauh. Subs: Pulling (Ekoku 55), Green (Head 86), Unused: Olweny, Dicker, Phillips. Att: 359.