Hastings United will have to do it again on Tuesday after Whitehawk draw

Whitehawk took the lead through Connor Tighe’s deflected freekick with Jake Elliott replying for United on the stroke of half-time. Daniel Ajakaiye put United in front after his driving run caused havoc in the Whitehawk defence only for Kacper Lopata to equalise with a close-range header.

The match was preceded by an impeccable minute silence on Remembrance weekend.

Whitehawk kicked-off underneath the floodlights on a cold day, the earlier showers thankfully dispersed. United were into the game immediately. Lanre Azeez won a corner which hit Elliott and was saved on the line by James Broadbent. Minutes later Jack Dixon was fouled on the right edge of the area. With most anticipating a cross, the ball instead was played short to Ryan Worrall.

He struck a 20-yarder which hit the inside of the post with Dixon diverting the loose ball just wide. No-one looked sure how either effort had not resulted in a goal.

Fifteen minutes gone and, whilst United looked in control, both teams were playing good possession football. Whitehawk emphasised their threat when they broke down the right behind the United defence. Tighe’s cross was headed over from the penalty spot by the arriving Henry Muggeridge.

This chance roused United. In the space of few minutes Dixon’s shot was pushed around the post, Ajakaiye’s shot was blocked and Elliott headed over from a corner. In turn Whitehawk stirred and won a corner, half-cleared and crossed back in. Duane Ofori-Acheampong with a free header, eight yards out, tipped around the post by a flying Louis Rogers. An excellent save keeping the score at 0 - 0. The ensuing corner ricocheted off several bodies before being cleared off the line with Whitehawk players appealing for handball. Nothing given.