Suarez strikes in latest draw

It was United’s seventh successive home stalemate in the Ryman Football League Premier Division and they remain third-from-bottom after fellow strugglers Enfield Town and Harrow Borough both won.

Whereas most of the draws that have gone before it have been fairly eventful, the latest was a rather scrappy affair with little to warm the 346 paying spectators on a chilly night at The Pilot Field.

United probably had the two best chances of a fairly even first half, Zac Attwood being denied by away goalkeeper Elliott Justham when clean through in the first three minutes and player-manager Sean Ray later seeing a header cleared off the line.

The U’s broke the deadlock four minutes into the second period. A great strike by Danny Ellis from just outside the box was parried by Justham and Suarez followed up to nod home the rebound.

Rather than push on after the goal, though, United seemed to lose their way and the mid-table visitors equalised midway through the half. Amid a strong suspicion of offside, Steve Higgins drove low across goal for Sam Collins to tap home. See Friday’s Hastings Observer for a full report.

United (4-3-3): East; Cox, Ray, Judge, Whitehead; Carey (Vickers 88), Crellin, Ellis; Attwood, Suarez, Okojie (McDonald 82). Subs not used: Richardson, Bachellier.

Standings (played-points): 1 Whitehawk 25-53, 2 Concord Rangers 22-41, 3 Canvey Island 24-41, 4 Wealdstone 23-40, 5 Kingstonian 22-39, 6 Bognor Regis Town 24-38, 7 Margate 21-36, 8 Bury Town 24-35, 9 Lowestoft Town 18-33, 10 Met Police 21-32, 11 Hampton & Richmond Borough 21-32, 12 Lewes 26-29, 13 East Thurrock United 21-28, 14 Hendon 23-28, 15 Leiston 23-26, 16 Cray Wanderers 25-26, 17 Enfield Town 24-24, 18 Wingate & Finchley 25-24, 19 Harrow Borough 25-23, 20 HASTINGS UNITED 23-21, 21 Thurrock 18-19, 22 Carshalton Athletic 26-19.