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But as he reflected on a 2-2 draw at Bishop’s Stortford in their league opener, Pearce said he saw plenty to be pleased about.

He has warned that his young, new-look team will need time to gel but said there was plenty of promise.

Sublime goals by Tommy Leigh and Jordy Mongoy put them 2-0 up at Stortford but they conceded two late penalties to draw 2-2, with centre-half Joe Cook sent off.

Bognor on the attack against South Park / Pictures: Trev Staff / Lyn Phillips

The Rocks got their first win on Tuesday night when they did the coming back from two down to draw 2-2 at South Park in the FA Cup before winning 4-2 on penalties. Mongoy and Keaton Wood scored the goals that took it to a shootout.

Pearce said: “If you were Bishop’s Stortford, and had the possession and chances they had, you’d expect to win the game.

“But we were 2-0 up with 11 minutes to go and if you want to do anything in this league you can’t give away goals like we did there.

“On neither occasion were they certain to score when we conceded the penalty.” Cook’s red card, which Pearce said was avoidable, leaves the Rocks short of defenders for Saturday’s visit to Haringey, with four defenders out injured and two having to play out of position.

Calvin Davies vies for possession at Stortford / Pictures by Trev Staff/Lyn Phillips

Ashton Leigh is the latest to pick up a knock – he hurt his ankle in a challenge at South Park that many in the ground thought should have seen the home player red-carded.

Things look brighter in midfield and up front and Pearce praised new boy Mongoy, who has scored two in two so far.

Coach Robbie Blake was pleased with the determination they showed to come back from two down at South Park. He told Rocks Radio: “Off the back of giving away two goals in the last ten minutes, giving them (South Park) two goals gave us a mountain to climb. We can’t give teams easy chances.

“But we showed determination and bravery to come back. I thought we deserved to get through.

“I was always confident for the shootout. Great credit to the lads.”

Bognor go to Horsham next Tuesday and await tomorrow’s (Friday) FA Cup draw for the October 3 second qualifying round.

If Bognor get a home tie it will be the first game to be played in front of their new grandstand.

Report and picture special on Bognor's first week: Players warned over lost leads