Burgess Hill 1, Whitehawk 0: Burgess Hill won the County League for the fifth time in seven years last night at Leylands Park.

The Hillians sealed the championship with six games of the season remaining thanks to a 70th minute goal by Richard Carter.

While the players were celebrating on the pitch however, off it the champagne remains on ice as the club waits to discover whether this title will be rewarded with promotion to the Dr Martens League.

Southern League officials inspected Leylands Park on Monday to decide whether it meets the specifications needed to host a higher level of football and the results will be in the post early next week.

Next season's fate may not be decided but Hillians boss Danny Bloor is delighted this season's is.

Bloor said: "I am not even thinking about next season, I just want to enjoy this one. It is a fantastic achievment for everyone connected to the club and they should all be proud of themselves.

"I had no doubt we were going to win it but it is great to do so at the first time of asking.

"When I began as manager at the start of the season I said I wanted a good run in the Vase and to win the league. We have done both of those, so it's mission accomplished."

Whitehawk still had a mathematical chance of winning the title themselves before kick-off and were out to spoil the party from the start.

Kevin Townsend flashed a shot just past the post on 32 minutes, then Terry Cooper saw a low drive blocked on the line by home keeper Pat Gannon.

The Hillians stopper had to be alert again four minutes before half time with a solid catch following a 20-yard effort by Joe Keehan.

Nicky Sullivan went closest for the home side in the first half with a header he guided just past the upright but it was the visitors who looked the more dangerous.

They went close again 12 minutes after the break through a free-kick by Townsend which Gannon did well to push out.

Then four minutes later, Cooper hit a post with a left foot curler from the angle of the penalty area.

The let off seemed to wake Burgess Hill and they finally began to play like county champions.

Hawks keeper Wayne Collins did well to pull off two smart saves to deny Steve Harper just after the hour mark.

But the visiting keeper could do nothing to stop Carter scoring the decisive goal ten minutes after coming on as a substitute.

The ball bounced to the Hillians striker on the edge of the box and he sliced a looping volley up and over the hapless Collins to the relief of the majority at Leylands Park.

Gannon ensured the win with a superb point blank stop from Tommy Pattenden five minutes from time.

Burgess Hill: Gannon, Edwards, Guile, Head, Andrews, Day, Harper, Lutwyche, Geard (Williams 80), Sullivan (Carter 60), Downey. Sub not used: Marshall Whitehawk: Collins, Venton, Hill, Birch, Phillips, Buss, Keehan (Lambert 88), Townsend, Rowland, Cooper, Pattenden. Subs not used: Corlett, Sargeant.

Referee: S. Baker (Bognor).

Attendance: 181.