A CAMEO appearance by midfield dynamo Daryl Tulk helped preserve Saxons unbeaten start to the season.
A reshaped side saw Tulk thrown into midfield at Horntye Sports Complex on Saturday morning just hours before returning to Folkestone for a second game in the afternoon.
The visitors made the better start to this fiercely contested friendly and took the lead on 10" when a goal mouth scramble saw the ball knocked past keeper Ben Bosden.
But Saxons grew into the game and levelled on 22" when in form Joe Woodford crashed the ball home after latching on to Tulk's through ball.
A second half reshuffle saw Buckner drop back into midfield but Saxons still found themselves under the kosh.
A well executed Eastbourne break on 45 minutes saw Bosden picking the ball out the net for a second time and Saxons chasing the game again.
Buckner thought he'd made it 2-2 on the hour with a stunning drive into the D and searing shot past the keeper. But umpire Pete Klein eventually ruled it was outside the D.
But minutes later Saxons pressure paid off when Tulk finished off Woodford's cross.
Buckner said: "We weren't quite at the races but could've nicked it.
"We're still unbeaten after four games and looking good for the league season. Daryl was immense and we're very sorry to lose him to Folkestone.
"The last time I played two league games in one day was 15 years ago. So hats off to Daryl for finding the energy at the age of 40!"
The Sussex Open Hockey League Division Five will restart on Saturday, October 19 after major fixture reorganisation.
The league has organised triple fixtures for the remaining eight teams in the division promising 21 league games as opposed to 14.
Saxons travel to Angmering tomorrow to play Penguin III with a 1pm push back

TEAM: Bosden, Roberts, Carrington, Jenner, Bennett, Pickard, Tulk, Buckner, Merison, Giles, Waters, Woodford, Craig
Man of match: Tulk
Moment of match: Pickard saying he could see 7 fingers when Sol was holding up 3 after he was wiped out in a tackle