Horsham boss John Maggs has offered contracts to three of his exciting youngsters.

Jamie Taylor, Lee Carney and Stuart Hardy were today set to sign deals taking them through to the end of the season, with a view to re-newing for the 2002-03 campaign.

All three have been highly impressive in Horsham's good recent run and their wily boss is convinced they will become transfer targets for clubs higher up the non-league ladder.

Maggs said: "I do not want to lose them. If we keep our youngsters together we will be some side in a year or two.

"But they could also be a financial asset if another club comes in for them.

"They are better players than some I have seen go for five figure fees."

Goalkeeper Ian Chatfield also earnt praise, despite being beaten four times at Arlesey last Saturday.

Hornets came from 2-0 down to win a nine-goal thriller, withstanding heavy pressure in the last half hour.

Maggs added: "We were under the cosh in the second half but we did well defensively and Chats was outstanding."

Bognor boss Jack Pearce admits his side failed to come up with the answers when he asked them some tough midweek questions.

Pearce demanded his players bounce back from last Saturday's 5-1 league mauling at Northwood.

Instead, they crashed 5-2 at Third Division side Hornchurch in a League Cup tie.

The only consolation was that results elsewhere left Rocks still four points clear at the top of Division One ahead of today's fixtures.

Pearce said: "The league defeat was one of those things you have to expect from time to time.

"It was our first defeat in 18. Everybody in this division would be happy to be where we are.

"On Tuesday, I said I wanted to find out something about them as players, but they reacted poorly.

"That's not good enough. I rested a couple but they were all paid up players of this club and we will need them during the season."

Rocks have an attractive tie on Tuesday when Albion visit Nyewood Lane in the Senior Cup where the matchball is being sponsored by The Argus.

The match will be the last at the club for commercial manager Maurice Warner, who is moving to Canada after many years service at Nyewood Lane.