Brighton took another step closer to claiming the Kent/Sussex Regional League title with a thumping 4-0 win over Sevenoaks.

A hat-trick from the prolific Craig Carolan helped Brighton extend their lead at the top of the table to 12 points, although second placed Tunbridge Wells have a game in hand.

In theory, Brighton now need to win five of their remaining eight games to be crowned champions.

That would allow for three defeats, which is half as many as Brighton have suffered in the last three seasons.

A remarkable period in the club's history has seen Brighton lose just six out of 56 league games in the last three campaigns and two of those defeats came in meaningless end of season matches.

Blackheath's draw with Folkestone on Saturday means Tunbridge Wells are now Brighton's only serious challengers. The championship picture will become clearer when the Kent side visit the Stanley Deason Centre on February 15.

Brighton skipper Carlo Missirian said: "Our goal was to get three points out of every game until we meet Tunbridge Wells. That would mean them having to come to us needing to win.

"Even if we don't get the points at Herne Bay on Saturday, Tunbridge Wells have still got to come and outplay us.

"We are conscious that every team we play are up for the game. Sevenoaks were really up for it on Saturday but we just happened to unleash five minutes of brilliant hockey at the start of the match."

Brighton were 2-0 ahead inside five minutes as player-coach Carolan scored with two reverse hit strikes.

Brighton lost their momentum after that and had to wait until just before half-time when Carolan completed his hat-trick with another open play strike to take his goals tally to 38 in 14 league matches.

Paul Watson's 19th of the campaign wrapped up victory in the second half.

While the scorers took the plaudits, Missirian pointed out everyone is making a contribution. Tim Howarth and Simon Acott both impressed after stepping in to replace late withdrawals Kevin Brown (injury) and Simon Warringer (illness).

Missirian said: "We pride ourselves on being a good defensive team but over the last couple of games we have let in a couple of goals. It was good to keep a clean sheet and to see the defenders playing the way they are.

"Keeper Peter Ashdown had a good game. He didn't have a lot to do but then he pulled off two top-notch saves. He has been that consistent all season.

"We are working hard in training and creating a lot of chances. A lot of those chances are falling to Craig but that is part of the game plan."

Tunbridge Wells' match away to Old Williamsonians was one of three games postponed in the division due to the weather.

Missirian added: "I was really pleased to get the game on. We now have points in the bag and that puts the pressure on Tunbridge Wells."

Horsham's match at Maidstone was also lost to the weather but Worthing and Mid Sussex shared a 2-2 draw.

A closely-fought game saw Mids threaten early on through James Goodwin, Simon Hobden and Mike Dovey.

Worthing took the lead on 20 minutes through a short corner strike from Matt Ansell.

When Dovey's shot was stopped on the line by a Worthing defender a penalty was awarded but Andy Green's flick was well saved by the Worthing keeper Daniel Godsmark.

Mids equalised when Duncan Wood-Allum put Mark Humphreys through and he beat Godsmark.

In the second half Godsmark was sin-binned after illegally tackling Dovey outside the D which meant Kieron Jones went in goal for a stint.

When the keeper returned Mid Sussex went ahead through Humphreys following a short corner after good work from Steve Booth and Goodwin.

Back came Worthing and Ramiz Inga levelled.

There were chances for both sides after that. Worthing were awarded a penalty flick but John Massie hit a post with goalkeeper Greg Purdie beaten.

Mids skipper Green said: "We are disappointed not to have got the three points but we stuck at it and a point apiece was fair."

His counterpart, David Edmondson, said: "We played poorly and were fortunate to escape with a point. In fairness to Mid Sussex they were organised and didn't allow us to get our game going."