Richard Lowe is hoping Horsham's first win of the season will be a launchpad to better things.

Horsham ran out 3-1 winners away to Mid Sussex in the Kent/Sussex Regional League to lift themselves into mid-table.

Skipper Lowe gave Horsham a dream start by scoring after just 47 seconds, converting a penalty flick.

In the second half Steve Booth equalised from open play for Mids but the visitors secured victory thanks to two short corners from Dominic Cohen, taking his tally to five for the season.

Lowe, whose side lost 6-2 to Tunbridge Wells the previous week, said: "To get on top so early on was what we needed.

"Last week was just a bad week, the two games before that we should have got more out of. We have got a win now and we can go to Sutton Valence on Saturday with plenty of confidence. We are all looking forward to that game and are hoping to build on this."

Mid Sussex, who are still looking for their first win, moved off the bottom on goal difference as Gillingham Anchorians were hammered 8-1 by new leaders Sevenoaks.

Mids' Phil Middleton said: "There were a similar number of shots and short corners for both sides but they created and took their chances better and we could have no complaints at losing."

Worthing lost top spot after being held to a 3-3 draw at Sutton Valence. They trailed 3-2 until David Clayton scored from a short corner on the stroke of full time.

Joint skipper John Massie had given Worthing the lead from a rebounded short corner but Sutton scored twice to turn things around. Chris Sciandro levelled from a short corner on the stroke of half time but the hosts regained the lead in the second half and seemed to be holding out for victory until Clayton struck.

Massie said: "Before we started we were looking for three points but to twice come back to score so late on in a half we have to be pleased.

"It is frustrating because we know we can play better but Sutton Valence worked so hard and that made it difficult for us."

Chichester skipper Sam Beere refuses to be downbeat despite a fourth straight defeat in South Premier division one. A 3-1 reverse away to Purley Walcountians in the clash of the bottom two left Chi without a point from their opening four games.

Beere said: "It is frustrating because we are playing teams we should be beating.

"There are no teams we have played who have been better than us, we are just waiting for the result to come along."

Dave Foster put Chichester ahead from open play but they wasted a number of chances to stretch their lead before half time, notably when Ralph Veltom had a one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

In the second half Purley punished individual errors to score three times and snatch the points.

There is further bad news for Chichester as Neil Pendle, who has scored three of the five league goals they have netted this year, will be out for up to five weeks as he requires a knee operation.

In division two, Brighton suffered their first defeat since promotion from the Kent/Sussex Regional League as they went down 3-1 away to bottom side Gore Court.