Saunders, who signed on Monday from AFC Uckfield Town drilled his effort past home ’keeper Reece Wickwar from 12 yards after a cutback from fellow debutant Oscar Hall in the 60th minute.
Hall and Saunders were among four changes to the side that was comprehensively beaten at Horsham YMCA with James Broadbent starting in place of Callum Chrsitie while Dean Stevens also returned.
On a zippy pitch, the game began at a fast and frantic pace with neither side able to produce enough quality in the final third as neither goalkeeper was tested.
Aaron Filsell came closest to opening the scoring for United, but his effort thundered off the post before being cleared to safety, but on the stroke of half-time Hassocks took the lead.
A ball down the right channel enticed Broadbent out of his goal, but the United ‘keeper was caught in no mans land as Josh Miles raced onto the ball and lifted into the back of the net from 25 yards.
Hassocks could have seen their lead doubled in added time at the end of the first half, but Broadbent responded well to get down low to his right to push the ball round the post.
Nik Chamberlain was introduced at half-time, replacing Liam Painter and immediately asked questions of the home defence with his direct style, but it was Hall and Painter who would combine 15 minutes into the half to draw United level.
Hassocks responded and an effort from Rowan Wallace following a corner produced a scramble inside the United box that saw an effort deflected wide for a corner.
With time running out, both sides pressed forward in hope of an equaliser but neither ‘keeper was called into meaningful action as the sides shared the spoils