The bad weather was finally easing off and allowed Dynamos to get in a game for the first time since 5th December.

Manager Gary Taylor had nearly a complete squad to pick from, with 18 players available having used the extended Christmas break to get over niggling injuries.

He went with an experienced side to keep Eastbourne good form this season going against last seasons Division 4 Champions, Nelson Tigers.

Dynamos looked to get going early on and spent the first few minutes in the Nelson half, but it was the visitors who were to have the better of the first period as both teams struggled with the rustiness of not playing for over a month. The slope of the pitch and wet conditions didn't help matters, as neither keeper was really troubled. The game was more of a midfield batter, with both teams squandering possession.

Dynamos only notable effort on target was the opening goal midway through the half. A few short passes allowed Shaun Peters to run onto a square ball, his shot took a slight nick of a defender before flying past the keeper.

Nelson Tigers could have been level shortly afterwards after getting round the Eastbourne defence, but the strikers effort hit the post before going wide.

The home side were lucky to go in at the break ahead, with Nelson having played the better football and Eastbourne struggling to get going.

The second half was to be a lot better, and it wasn't long before Eastbourne had doubled their lead. Dynamos were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area, Alan Doyle stepped up and his effort went under the wall, before betting the keeper who maybe should have done better.

This seemed to fire up the visitors, whose striker walked past two challenges before having his effort well blocked by Peters. Tigers then had the ball cleared off the line by Christian Corder-Courtier before Dynamos managed to clear.

Dynamos had a couple of chances to increase their lead, with their wingers managing to get behind the defence a couple of times before cutting back, only for Eastbourne to miss the target.

Lewis Colegate got the third for Dynamos, after being put through he raced past the fullback before hitting a pinpoint effort into the far corner.

Neil Taylor should have got a fourth after Damien Mills did well down the right, he unselfishly squared only for Neil Taylor to have his effort saved by the keeper when it looked certain he would score.

Tigers nearly reduced the deficit, a point blank effort was tip over the bar by keeper Martin Bell, allowing Dynamos to regroup and defend the corner.

The fourth goal came after one of the best passing moves of the game by Dynamos. The home side won the ball back in Nelson's half, before working it across the field and into the box. They managed to create an opening and Doyle fired into the far corner to finish off the move in style and claim his second of the game.

Eastbourne had a few more half chances to increase the lead, but will be happy to have kept a clean sheet and closed the gap on the teams above them in the league.

This was not a great performance, and Eastbourne know they can play better. But after six weeks off, who really expected them to hit the ground running?