East Grinstead bounced back from another disappointing league defeat by claiming a place in the quarter finals of the cup.  First division Old Loughtonians were hammered 6-1 at Saint Hill on Sunday as Grinstead reached the last eight of the EHL Cup.

It was a performance full of character after they had lost 6-4 in a thriller with Beeston 24 hours earlier which means they are now down to third in the National League premier division.  Saturday's match was a cracker for supporters as Beeston led 4-0 at half-time. Grinstead fought back bravely to level in the second half, only to concede twice in the final eight minutes.

Manager Matt Jones said: "It was certainly a game for the neutrals because it had everything. The first half was another classic, low intensity, unrefined performance with lacklustre finishing. It was very frustrating.  "Because we have been in a rich vein of form there was an underlying current of belief that we could fightback from that and after some choice words from (player-coach) Mark Pearn at half-time they responded in fine fashion.

"We could even have gone ahead but you can't switch off against a team like Beeston and they twice hit us on the breakaway to win a penalty stroke.  "Full credit to Beeston. I am full of admiration for their performance but we should not have put ourselves in that position in the first place."

Dave De Prez (two), Danny Hall and Pearn scored for Grinstead and the same trio were on target again against Old Loughtonians the following day.  The visitors took a surprise lead on 13 minutes but Pearn levelled, then Hall went on score four and De Prez got the other in a 6-1 win.

Grinstead, who have lost in the final for the last two seasons, are now away to fellow premier division side Havant in the quarter finals.  They won 8-3 at Havant just over a fortnight ago and Jones is happy with the draw. He said: "We have beaten them three times on the bounce in the last two months and having rattled eight past them last time they won't look forward to playing us."

By Howard Griggs