Eastbourne Dynamos closed the gap at the top of the table to 1 point after a hard fought victory over Mayfield on Wednesday night.

While the current league leaders Galaxy were enjoying a Cup Final night under floodlights, Dynamos took an evening visit to Mayfield where it always seems to rain whenever we play there.

Gary Taylor had 14 players available, a very respectable number considering the time people had to leave to get there. Only changes from Mondays starting eleven saw Richard Payne come in for Michael Franklin, with Damien Mills going to right midfield and Payne slotting in at left back.

It was the visitors who got off to a brighter start as the home side started with only 10 players. Dynamos should have been out of sight after the opening 10-15 minutes. Stephen Fletcher with numerous chances, only to be thwarted by a keeper in inspired form. A succession of corners yielding nothing for Eastbourne either.

The visitors had the ball in the net, Neil Taylor was put through and his shot from just inside the area beat the keeper, but came back off the bar, with Dean Pugh at the back to knock into an empty net. Neither player thought they were in an offside position but the linesman had his flag raised and the referee disallowed the goal.

Eastbourne were awarded a penalty when Damien Mills looked to go round his marker, only for him to go down under the challenge of the defender and the ref had no doubt about awarding the spot kick. Asking the Eastbourne players later, they were split on if they thought it was a penalty, with some supporters saying it looked like the defender got the ball. Mills was happy it should have been a penalty. Neil Taylor duly slotted home the penalty with the keeper getting a hand to the ball but not enough to keep it out.

Having broken the deadlock, Eastbourne then seemed to be their own worse enemy, giving the ball away in dangerous places, rushing on the ball or taking on one to many players. Mayfield, even with 10 players, popped the ball round well and attacked down either wing with pace. They were nearly level with a couple of chances. One chance came back off the bar, while another was put wide from close range. Martin Bell also made some good saves to keep Mayfield out while Shaun Peters and Christian Corder-Courtier put in some good covering tackles when needed.

Eastbourne were still creating chances, but not with the frequency of the opening period, Alex Speirs had one volley cleared off the line and Taylor also went close again before Dynamos doubled their lead. A corner from the right was nodded down by Peters, Fletcher was on hand to help it on its way only for the defender on the post to stick out a hand. The ref initially awarded a penalty until consulting with the linesman, decided that the ball had already crossed the line, saving the defender from a straight red card.

Mayfield responded well and were unlucky not to reduce the deficit straight away when they attacked and saw their effort cannon off the upright.

Dynamos were under the cosh for the opening period of the second half. Tiredness was probably setting in while Mayfield looked like they could score at any minute.

The home side had a couple of chances which the put wide or over. Mayfield got the goal they probably deserved when a cross from the left was missed by everyone, with the Eastbourne defence not clearing their lines well enough. The ball feel to a Mayfield player who shot through a crowd of players, Bell couldn't get enough on the ball to keep it out.

Eastbourne needed to hold strong now and Dayle Courtier needed to continue his good work to make sure they didn't surrender their lead. Mayfield attacked with some balls over the top which Eastbourne never looked like dealing with as their pacey forwards chased each one. The closest the came saw Bell make a brilliant one handed save before Darren Vine cleared the lines.

One rare attack for Eastbourne saw Darren Vine and Damien Mills combine well down the right, Mills crossed low for Vine who had continued his run, he swept home the ball but the linesman had again flagged for offside.

The next goal was crucial, and luckily Dynamos got it with about 15 minutes to spare. Dean Pugh controlled Peters flick-on, before slotting past the oncoming keeper and into the far corner from a tight angle.

The goal seemed to give the visitors some much needed confidence and they threatened the Mayfield goal more and more. Pugh again beat his marker before squaring to Fletcher, whose shot on the stretch was somehow saved by the keeper.

Taylor put the finishing touch to the game when Eastbourne were awarded a free-kick just outside the area. Taylor stepped up and curled the ball over the wall and in top right hand corner off the underside of the bar.

Just as the light was fading the whistle went on another Dynamos victory. Eastbourne now get a little rest before starting again on Saturday. A big thanks to everyone that made it on Wednesday evening, it is appreciated, and hopefully we can keep this good form going.