In glorious Autumn sunshine at Horntye Park, Saxons intially struggled to get to grips with their deadly Sussex Hockey Division Five rivals.
But 15-year-old county triallist Ben Bosden was in fearless form as he thwarted a wave of Eastbourne attacks.
After holding firm for the opening salvos, Saxons started to push their visitors back.
Then on 15 minutes Tom Giles went agonsingly close to breaking the deadlock latching on to Sol Buckner's searing cross to see his shot drift inches wide. Veteran striker John Bennett, who travels each week from west London, was then forced off with a suspected torn calf muscle.
After the break, Saxons stepped up the pressure but struggled to find a way past a stubborn Eastbourne defence.
Then midfield veteran Steve Jenner was temporarily forced off with a ball to the face.
Despite being all at sea for five minutes, Saxons steadied the boat and continued to press for a goal.
With the clock ticking, Buckner won a short corner on 55 minutes. His fierce strike rebounded high off the keeper and the follow up shot blazed through a sea of legs into the goal.
Minutes later Lovell danced into the D and buried a shot past the Eastbourne keeper but the goal was belatedly disallowed after Dom Whitaker was judged to have been less than five yards from the initial free hit.
Then on the hour the visitors levelled with a smart ranging pass and deflected shot leaving Bosden no chance.
Buckner rallied his troops in search of a winner and it duely arrived with time fast running out. Whitaker set up Lovell on the left wing and the 16-year-old kept his cool to dribble into the D and fire past an outstretched keeper sparking wild celebrations.
Buckner said: "Joe showed skills beyond his 16 years. It was a great team effort again and always nice to get one over our neighbours."
Saxons face East Grinstead IV for a 3pm push back.
Team: Bosden, Roberts, Kellett, Butler, Carrington, Pickard, Buckner, Lovell, Jenner, Giles, Waters, Bennett, Woodford, Whitaker
Man-of-the-match: Lovell