Burgess Hill bounced back from their midweek RUR Cup heartbreak to defeat Eastbourne United 4-2 and open up an eight-point lead at the top of Division One.

Pagham's goalless draw with Sidley United puts Hillians in the driving seat to win their fourth championship crown in five seasons.

Triumphant boss Gary Croydon said: "I had to read them the riot act at half-time because we fell a goal down. But we bounced back, like I knew we would, and picked up three priceless points."

Carl Harris had given Eastbourne a second-minute advantage, but Zak Newman blasted a second-half hat-trick and Steve Harper smashed a 30-yard wonder goal to settle the game. Even Eastbourne's equaliser through David Harris to make it 2-2 was not enough to halt the march.

Croydon said: "We were never at the races against Horsham YMCA on Thursday and that sometimes happens in cup finals. But the league is our ultimate priority and we are well on course."

Sidley United and Pagham cancelled each other out at The Gullivers and Sidley No.2 Peter Heritage had no complaints about the result.

Heritage said: "Both sides have missed the last three or four weeks and it showed It was a fair result and it must be ideal for Burgess Hill."

Selsey lost ground on the leading pack when they were held to a goalless draw by Saltdean United.

Adam Davis, released last week by Albion, made his debut for Selsey but it was a disappointing day for the home side.

Lee Newman hit a post early on for Saltdean but Selsey dominated for long periods and were unlucky when Barry Rishman headed against the woodwork in the second half.

Saltdean boss Steve Bean said: "It was a brilliant point for us. We could have had a couple of goals early on but we were under the cosh in the second half. Jamie Bryant was outstanding in goal. That is four clean sheets on the trot now."

Littlehampton eased their relegation fears with a vital 3-0 win against fellow strugglers Eastbourne Town.

Barry Pidgeon and Derek Chester put Littlehampton in charge by finding the net in a dominant first-half performance. The points were secured when Derren Woods headed in a cross by Russell Hardwell.

Coach Ade Cooper said: "We had to win the match. The boys produced an excellent performance and, if we play like that until the end of the season, will stay up. Everyone has worked hard and the team is confident. The win will do us the world of good."

New Whitehawk new boss Steve Richardson was concerned as his struggling team were overtaken by Littlehampton following a 4-0 hammering by Chichester City in his first game in charge.

He said: "It's going to be tough. But if we can just find some self-belief and heart then we have the players to pick up points and keep us up."

Jamie Laidlaw, Angel, Mulhearn and James Butlin were on target for Chichester.

Arundel manager Mick Rowland saluted his team's 2-1 win against Hassocks. Goals from Miles Scerri and Andy Arnold were enough to secure victory.

Mark Price hit a post for Arundel but Hassocks, who pulled one back through a Steve Wilkins volley, will rue keeper Andy McCarthy saving a James Laing penalty.