By Simeon Wright at Champion Hill for Southwark News
Super-sub Ibra Sekajja saved a point for his side at Champion Hill as a depleted Dulwich Hamlet drew at home to fellow play-off hopefuls Eastbourne Borough on Tuesday night.
The Hamlet, who have a host of players missing, remain sixth in National League South and are now two matches unbeaten following a difficult beginning to 2022 which had seen them lose twice and draw once.
Dulwich’s first meaningful chance came after ten minutes when Giovanni McGregor’s dipping free-kick was pushed away to the left by veteran Eastbourne keeper Lee Worgan, formerly of the original Wimbledon FC.
Eastbourne’s first effort on goal caused Hamlet keeper Nathan Harness no trouble, as Jaden Perez curled towards the top-right corner with no power in the seventeenth minute.
But the visitors came close after 25 minutes when Greg Luer played in Charley Kendall, whose left-footed effort across goal was tipped smartly wide by Harness.
The Dulwich goalkeeper was making a second consecutive appearance having moved on loan from Charlton Athletic last weekend. Harness made a strong debut impression the day he signed during the 4-1 win over Concord Rangers, but his flawless start would be compromised later on in this game.
Hamlet’s best attempt of a busy first half came through forward Chike Kandi, who smashed straight at Worgan on the half-volley following good work from Jordan Green to out-muscle his opponent.
Harness was up to the task again when Charlie Walker shot from 25 yards, but would have been powerless had Luer’s 40th-minute header been more accurate. Former Hull City striker Luer inexplicably missed the target after an inch-perfect cross from right winger Joel Rollinson.
But disaster struck seven minutes into the second half for Harness, when he failed to hold Walker’s shot from range, allowing Kendall to follow in and make it 1-0 to the visitors.
The on-loan stopper did however keep his composure to deny Rollinson at the near post on the hour mark.
On came Hamlet favourite Sekajja after 70 minutes, and four minutes later it was 1-1.
Played through by Danny Mills, Sekajja calmly lifted the ball over Worgan to send a strong mid-week Champion Hill crowd into raptures.
The joy and relief was evident to see on the Dulwich bench too as Gavin Rose and assistant Junior Kadi both flew from their technical area to celebrate.
Uganda-born striker Sekajja has now netted three times in four matches since returning to Dulwich for a third spell.
Both sides went fruitlessly in search of a winner but the draw leaves Eastbourne in eleventh, five points behind Dulwich.
The Hamlet travel to Hungerford Town this Saturday who are two points behind them in eighth. Kick-off is 3pm.
Photo: @robavis