Defender Jamie Ash signed off before a suspension with a crucial winning goal for Southwick as the battle to beat the drop from Division One intensified.

Ash found enough energy to get forward from rightback to force home a left-wing cross from Simon Funnell with five minutes left and earn Sammy Donnelly's outfit a precious 1-0 victory over Selsey at Old Barn Way.

It was a disciplined performance by Wickers who needed the victory after good results elsewhere for fellow strugglers Sidlesham and Littlehampton.

Donnelly said: "It was a hard-earned win. We stuck at it and all credit to Jamie. He had the energy to keep getting in the box and he got his reward. It was a bit of a scrambled effort but they all count.

"Danny Smith was outstanding for us, but everyone played their part. There are quite a few teams in the relegation battle, we've just got to keep going."

Round-up:

A first goal for Sidlesham's new striker Abdoul Ndoye earned Richard Towers' men a second successive 1-0 away win, this time at Arundel.

Ndoye, who has had a few run- outs from the bench for Bognor this season, cracked home the decisive goal with 13 minutes left after good work by Glen Bridgeman and Dave Towers.

Bridgeman and Matt Latter also hit the bar in the last ten minutes as Arundel produced a lacklustre performance.

Boss Towers said: "It was Abdoul's second game for us and he took his goal really well. That's two good away wins now, if we keep playing like this we can get out of danger."

Eastbourne United picked up a creditable point from a goalless draw at Pagham, but they are marooned 12 points behind Southwick in next-to-bottom place.

Rock-bottom Saltdean look doomed, but they gave Littlehampton a fright when Brad Dougal fired them into a 40th- minute lead at Hill Park.

But the Marigolds bloomed in the second half to run out 3-1 winners. Shaheen Sadough equalised with his third goal in two games when he hammered home a Stuart Sell free-kick.

Russell Hardwell put the visitors ahead with four minutes left and Steve Davies, who had missed a penalty when the game was goalless, made sure a minute later.

Littlehampton boss Andy Taylor said: "I'm pleased with the result more than the performance.

"To be fair, Saltdean worked hard and didn't let us get our passing game going but we got things together a bit in the second half."

Wick can breathe a little easier after they beat Redhill 1-0 at Crabtree Park.

Dave Schneider latched onto a through ball and produced a clinical finish for the winner seven minutes from time.

But the only thing which impressed boss Richie Reynolds was the result.

He said: "There were two poor sides out there. It was a bit of a battle but we got there in the end."

Consolation for Burgess Hill after their FA Vase exit is likely to be a fourth title in six seasons, but the battle for runners-up spot is much less clear-cut.

Hailsham currently occupy second place after ending Hassocks' long unbeaten run with a 2-0 victory at the Beaconsfield, but Peacehaven and Chichester can overtake them if they win their games in hand.

Matt Smith headed Hailsham in front from a Damian Smith cross just after the break and Steve Graham, a 16-year-old substitute, made the points safe ten minutes from time with his first touch.

Matt Brown and Damian Douglas completed a trio of 16-year-olds in the home side to delight boss Joe Stevens.

He said: "It was a good win which we just about deserved on our second-half performance.

"I was really pleased for young Steve, it was a bit of a scramble but he will remember his first goal for the club."

Peacehaven are six points behind Hailsham with five games in hand following Friday's 3-2 win at Three Bridges, while Chichester are not out of the reckoning for runners-up spot either following an eye-catching 1-0 success at champions Sidley.

Jamie Laidlaw was their match-winner, scrambling home his 29th goal of the season in the 14th minute, although a defender on the post may have got the final touch.

Laidlaw and fellow striker Roger Moore were a constant threat for City.

But they also had to do their fair share of defending against a Sidley side for whom successive home defeats have effectively killed off any lingering hopes they had of retaining their championship.

Ringmer boss Glen Geard had a smile on his face at the end of a troubled week following the Blues' 3-1 win at Horsham YMCA.

Geard was allegedly head-butted by a Sidley opponent and spent Tuesday night in hospital having 16 stitches inserted in a cut head.

But his side cheered him up with a third successive away win secured with goals from Tony Holden, his 32nd of the season, Graham Martin and Shaun Grice. Joel O'Hara got YM's late consolation.

Geard said: "We've had three hard away games since we lost to Arundel in the RUR semi-final and won them all which shows the sort of character we've got in the side."