Eastbourne Dynamos were back in action this weekend after last weeks free week. Division 2 side Hastings Rangers were the opposition at Old Town Rec in the First Round of the League Cup. The only change from last week's squad was Ben Curwood who replaced Glenn Taylor.

It was the vistors who seemed to settle quickest, and although they failed to pin Dynamos right back, Eastbourne struggled to get out their own half.

The defence stood strong and soon the hosts found their footing in the game and began to push forward. Chances were few and far between, with Martin Bell being the busiest keeper, but mainly at corners where he dealt well with the dangerous balls into the box.

Eastbourne suffered an early set back when winger Rossi Williams twisted an ankle in an innocuous looking challenge and had to be carried off the field. He was replaced by Lewis Colegate, who has been impressive in the games he had played so far this year.

Hastings took the lead just as Dynamos looked to be getting on top. A cross from the right landed at the feet of the striker, Jason Robinson managed to get a boot to the ball, but it became more or a scramble and the Hastings forward got the luck to find the ball at his feet and only Bell to beat and he slotted into the back of the net for the opening goal.

It wasn't long before Eastbourne level. Dean Pugh's good run down the left, where he managed to ride the challenge of the last defender saw his shot was not held onto by the keeper, and Stephen Fletcher was first to react and fired the lose ball into the net for the equaliser.

The goal gave the home side confidence and Dynamos finished the half in the ascendancy. The second half saw Eastbourne begin where they left off and saw them go close with a few half chances go close.

Alan Doyle when close with a scorching drive from outside of the area which was well saved by the keeper, tipping it over the bar.

Hastings kept Eastbourne on their toes when they did venture forward. And they took the lead midway through the second half. Dynamos were guilty of to many touches and playing with the ball in dangerous areas, and they were caught in possession. Hastings worked the ball well before their midfield fired the ball over Bell and into the top right from outside the area for a very well taken goal.

Dynamos pushed forward and knew that chances would come their way and they still had a good chance to draw level. They went close following a few corners, and worked the ball well down either wing, but were not testing the keeper enough to trouble the visitors.

With 4 minutes to go, Eastbourne made the breakthrough. A long throw into the box was flicked on by Neil Taylor, and Stephen Fletcher was on hand to shoot past the keeper on the turn before being mobbed by his team mates.

Eastbourne pushed forward looking to win the game before going into extra time. Simon Burke picked out Stephen Fletcher who managed to beat the offside, his shot from a tight angle was saved by the keeper but didn't keep hold of the ball. Neil Taylor was first to the loose ball but the awkward bounce on the ball didn't make it easy and he shot over.

The game went into extra time and few sloppy passes from both teams was now creeping into the game because of tiredness on a very hot day. Both teams had half chances to take the lead, but the first half ended goalless. The second half looked more and more like the game was going to penalties, but then Dynamos were dealt a cruel. A cross from the left into and almost empty area, took a couple of deflections off the striker and defender before rolling into the corner of the net with Bell stranded.

Dynamos managed to find some last drops of energy to push forward and search for a third equaliser to send the game to penalties, which they felt the deserved. Eastbourne did have one chance, Pugh played in Taylor down the left, and his brilliant cross was waiting to be headed into the net by Doyle at the back post, but just as he was heading the ball, and defender came in and managed to get some of the ball and some of Doyle who fell to the ground holding his head while the ref pointed for a corner.

The corner fell to keeper Bell who had pushed up, but his header was too far out to trouble Hastings. That was the last real chance Dynamos had and in the end Eastbourne were out of the league cup at the first hurdle. A very entertaining game for the neutral, where Eastbourne will feel hard done by not to have been going through to the next round, but if they play like they did today, then this season should be a very rewarding one. Dynamos have strength in depth, which they will need once injuries start to take their toll, and everyone has their part to play.