Staines Town dropped two more valuable points as they were held 2-2 by relegation-haunted Hastings United last Tuesday.

Hastings began in determined mood with Jimmy Elford shooting just too high and Sam Adams' drive forcing James Courtnage into an early save.

It was no real surprise when they took the lead on 15 minutes, Ade Olorunda surging into the box and feeding Danny Leach, who steered his low shot into the corner of the net.

Adams and Leach again threatened, but Staines might have levelled on 22 minutes, when Scarlett's corner caused confusion in the box before being eventually cleared back to him, and his powerful drive was fingertipped away by keeper Lee Worgan.

Then Howard Newton made a good run on the right, before being halted by a well times Adams tackle.

Moments later, Scarlett picked out Mark Nwokeji, but his shot went just wide of the upright.

In the 26th minute, there was a repeat of the previous Tuesday's incident, when Richard Butler advanced towards the box, but was tripped by defender Rhys Whyborne.

Referee Williams had no hesitation in dismissing the offender, but with the free-kick thudding into the wall, Staines once again were left feeling aggrieved.

Hastings boss Tony Dolby quickly reorganised, making a substitution to cover for his missing defender, and proceding with only A Olorunda up front for much of the rest of the game.

However, that was enough for them to extend their lead on 36 minutes, when Staines failed to clear Danny Spice's throw-in, and Ade Olorunda received the ball from his brother Tim, before shooting low into the corner.

However, Staines reduced the arrears just 40 seconds later, as Nwokeji surged forward from the kick off, eluding a Rose challenge, and passed to Butler, who shot beyond Worgan.

The ball his the foot of the post, but rebounded across goal where Mark Nwokeji tapped it in. Staines were now rampant, and they levelled the scores just three minutes later.

Nugent played the ball forward from a free kick, and Adrian Toppin latched on to it, firing past Worgan from close range. Staines continued to press against the 10 men, but it remained 2-2 at the interval.

Butler went close with shots either side of half time, and then picked up a caution for handling the ball into the net. Staines supporters then had the worrying sight of Nwokeji limping off with what appeared to be a recurrence of his hamstring problem, Marc Charles-Smith replacing him.

Staines continued to have the best of the game, with Toppin twice going close, Nugent firing one just too high, and Charles-Smith seeing a goalbound shot deflected wide by defender Nathan Russell.

After 64 minutes, Butler received from Nugent and drove into the box, but was again out of luck as defender Spice diverted his shot against the underside of the bar before clearing.

Staines became frustrated in the last quarter, with a succession of misplaced passes making life easier for the visiting defence, who also coped well with the long balls pumped at them.

Howard Newton forced Worgan to save with his feet after cutting into the box nine minutes from time, and, after Butler had again gone close, Newton marked his last game before his international duty by finding Toppin, who was untidily fouled by Rose, for which the Hastings man was cautioned. The ensuing free kick, by Dwain Clarke, was bundled round for a corner.

Staines: Courtnage, Nugent, Sargent (McDonald 86), Gordon , Duku, Scarlett (Bashkal 72), Clarke, Toppin, Butler, Nwokeji (Charles-Smith 58), H Newton; unused Flitter, Phillips (gk).

Hastings: Worgan, Spice, Elford , Whyborne SO 26, Russell, Simpson (Eldridge 90+3), Adams, T Olorunda, A Olorunda, Leach (Rose 27), Carey; Gonella, Sawyer. Dolby.

Ref: C Williams; ARs A Roberts, W Ingram; est att 272.