Horndean were unfortunate not to be in front within the first ten minutes with chances falling early. O'Connell broke into the box on the right flank and forced a save from Lincoln, before Lynch struck the post on the follow up.

Ralph Anelay came close shortly after, he won possession in the final third and attempted to round Dan Lincoln, but couldn't quite convert.

Bognor began to respond, and created a good chance on 13 minutes as Chebby was unleashed inside the box, however he failed to beat the on-rushing Deans' keeper Bowman.

The Deans early threat would be in vain as the hosts broke the deadlock on 22 minutes, a nicely weighted through ball unlocked Kasukumya, who evaded the offside trap and buried the ball past Bowman for 1-0.

A Horndean counter-punch came quickly after, as O'Connell sent a cross towards the back post which was met by the right boot of Ryan Carroll, who caressed a volley into the top right corner to level the scoring on 24 minutes.

The visitors could've snatched the lead after the half hour mark, Crook crunching a ball deep into the box finding O'Connell who's header was kept out before Anelay fired the rebound into the side-netting.

HT | Bognor Regis 1-1 Horndean

It didn't take long for Horndean to gain the upper hand in the second period, as another inch-perfect cross from Crook was met by a looping headed effort by O'Connell, beating Dan Lincoln and sticking the Deans ahead, 2-1.

The Deans were on the front foot as the attack continued to flow, another chance fell on 53 minutes when Anelay brought the ball down on the edge before playing a slick ball into McDonald charging into the box who shot narrowly wide.

Horndean were able to add comfort to their lead on 74 minutes, Lynch made a run in behind where he received the ball and calmly slotted past Lincoln to make it 3-1.

Bognor began to rebuild pressure as they searched for a way back into the game, they reduced the deficit on 87 minutes when a shot from Chebby was nestled into the bottom left, ensuring a nervy end to the game for his former club.

Horndean nerves were cancelled out deep into stoppage time, as Ryan Carroll made a marauding run to be released in behind, where he converted nonchalantly past Dan Lincoln to wrap up all three points, and drown out what remained of the near 600-strong Bognor crowd.

Written by Jack Norris