Lancing boss Andy Gander was left to rue what might have been as his side beat leaders Eastbourne Town 2-1 in Matthew Clark County League division two.

Gander's team had been in the promotion frame until Christmas but an awful run in the New Year dashed their hopes of going up.

After becoming only the second team this season, and the second in as many matches, to beat Eastbourne Town, Lancing climbed back up to fourth place in the league but it seems unlikely they will be able to catch the top three.

Gander said: "We proved yet again we can compete with the best teams in this league but we still find ourselves adrift of being in a position to get into division one.

"Eastbourne's front two, Yemi Odubade and Gary Brockwell, are good players and it was important to keep them under close watch and limit their chances."

A mistake by goalkeeper Simon Davy allowed Brockwell to put his side ahead just before half time with his 30th goal of the season.

Lancing had to wait until 11 minutes from time before Malcolm Gamon drew them level, snapping up the loose ball after Glen Souter's shot had been parried.

The winner came with two minutes remaining when Ryan Ford scored at the second attempt after his first effort had come back off the crossbar.

Lancing are re-signing goalkeeper Matthew May, who has been released by Worthing.

The result will give Rye and Iden United renewed hope of pipping Eastbourne Town to the title.

Rye beat Seaford 3-2 on Saturday but they made hard work of it after being 3-0 up within 15 minutes thanks to Dean Chamberlain's opener and two from top scorer Scott Price.

Adam Kneller's penalty just before half time reduced the deficit and Tristan Jobe's 68th minute strike ensured a nervous finish.

Wealden, who had ended Eastbourne Town's long unbeaten run the previous week, were brought back down to earth with a 4-3 defeat at home to Mile Oak.

The hosts had three players sent off but Mile Oak manager Anthony Whittington admitted: "We were hanging on at the end."

Darren Gearing was the first player to see red for two yellow cards and Mile Oak were already 4-1 up when goalkeeper Graham Leach was dismissed for handling outside of his area.

Syd Harman was the third player to get his marching orders for two bookings but, amazingly, Wealden fought back with Jimmy Sneddon scoring twice to complete his hat-trick and the same player grazed the bar with a shot which could have levelled matters in the closing stages.

For Mile Oak, Steve Roberts scored a hat-trick, although his second went in off a defender, and Wayne Whittington also found the net.

Whittington said: "For an hour we played as well as we have done this year. We were creating chances which is something we haven't been doing."

Pease Pottage are within two points of moving out of the bottom two after a 3-0 defeat of fellow strugglers Crawley Down.

Peter Sweet scored twice and Chris Cook got the other to make it a miserable return to management for new Crawley Down boss Darren Barker.

The side finishing second from bottom is likely to be spared relegation due to the merger between Eastbourne United and Shinewater but Pease Pottage joint-boss Dudley Christensen said: "We have turned the corner now and we are determined to finish higher than second from bottom."

Eastbourne United drew 1-1 with Worthing United. Andy Atkin fired United ahead but Neil Richardson earned a point for the visitors.

Shinewater returned to action after a series of postponements with a 2-0 win at Westfield.

Graham Holman rifled in the first from a Carl Harris cross and Ollie Walton was on hand to score the second after Scott Fitzgerald's shot came back off the crossbar.

Steyning Town's revival continued with a 2-0 win at fifth placed Saltdean thanks to goals from Steve Purser and substitute Tom Pickford.

The matches between Oakwood and East Grinstead plus Oving and Broadbridge Heath were postponed.