Horsham are on course to pip Lewes to the Ryman League division two title.

That is the verdict from the three managers who have pushed their Sussex rivals hardest in the race for honours.

We asked Arlesey's Nicky Ironton, Banstead's Bob Langford and Alan Hull at Great Wakering Rovers to study the remaining fixtures and give their title forecasts.

All go for Hornets, but that could change if Rooks confound those predictions by winning at Queen Street on Monday afternoon, given that none of our three wise men expect the eagerly awaited derby to finish in an away win.

Hull reckons the title race will go to the last day of the season, Langford believes it will be decided with a game to spare and Ironton fancies taking his Arlesey side to Queen Street with Horsham already uncorking the bubbly.

Ironton said: "I can see us winning there. I think we are the best team in the division on our day with all our players fit.

"Lewes have lost some quality players and you just cannot replace them. They beat us 4-0 and I thought they were efficient and solid.

"We lost 5-4 to Horsham. They are on a good run and look good going forward but they will leak goals."

Not that Ironton would be tempted to back up his predictions with hard cash.

He revealed: "I put £100 on Lewes for the Vase at 6-1 after we went out. I really thought they would win it."

Langford said his Banstead side still hoped to pip Lewes to second spot.

He said: "Horsham have got strength in depth, although Lewes have done ever so well"

Langford predicts Lewes, Berkhamsted and Barton will hold Hornets to draws while Tilbury will cause them problems tomorrow.

He added: "I fancy Horsham to get points at home because they have got good support.

"I fancy Lewes to lose at Great Wakering, who are not a bad side. They could drop points at Barton and East Thurrock and I can see them losing at Wivenhoe because it will be all over by then."

Hull is not so sure, though he admits the title will be heading to Sussex. He said: "I thought early on Lewes would win it but Horsham seem to be stronger now. I was speaking to Jimmy Quinn before their Vase tie with Sudbury and he said they had one or two injuries and it looks like they have suffered. But Horsham have got a tough run-in."

Hull cannot see Horsham losing again but expects them to draw at Berkhamsted.

He opted for a draw for his own side's meeting with Rooks and also felt Lewes would drop crucial points on the final day of the season.

Horsham will be hoping 30-goal striker Jamie Taylor recovers from a swollen ankle in time for the derby but will definitely be without Steve Payne and Stuart Hardy.

Lewes are likely to be without midfielder Julian Curnow for both games this weekend. Curnow limped off with an ankle injury after just 15 minutes of last Saturday's draw with Marlow.

Michael Ebanks (groin) and skipper Marc Cable (knee) are also big doubts for the games with Met Police and Horsham.

Manager Jimmy Quinn said: "Monday's game will only be big if we win tomorrow."

One Sussex-based fan with a particularly keen interest in events in the division is Terry Molloy, the Banstead chairman.

Molloy, who lives in Albourne, near Brighton, used to play for Horsham and also keeps in touch with his Lewes counterpart Terry Parris.

He said: "Lewes have been winning games against the run of play which is a good sign but they have to beat Horsham on Monday. Whatever happens, I think the title is coming to Sussex."