Eastbourne Town kept their promotion dream alive after producing a storming comeback to beat leaders Shoreham 4-2 in division two of the Rich City County League.

Town found themselves two goals down inside 33 minutes but fought back to lead 3-2 at half time before wrapping up victory with a fourth in the second half.

With promotion rivals East Preston and Lancing being held to draws and East Grinstead's match postponed, the result moved Eastbourne 14 points clear of their nearest rivals.

Although all the other promotion contenders have several games in hand, Town assistant-boss Alan Walsh is delighted with their position.

He said: "The pressure is on the other teams now because they have got to win their games in hand.

"East Grinstead have six games in hand which is 18 points and we are 14 points clear of them. That means they can only afford to lose one game.

"It also means East Preston must win five games on the trot to get level with us. Lancing could get to the same points as us but they must win all of their games."

Shoreham have not been in good form lately but they went ahead after just two minutes through Warren Levy and doubled their advantage through Andy Agutter on 33 minutes. Nick Barden pulled one back two minutes later from Craig Ottley's cross and it sparked a purple patch for the hosts.

Teenager Yemi Odubade was held back by Miles Rutherford for a penalty which Gary Brockwell converted and Odubade won a second penalty minutes later but this time Brockwell's effort was saved by Terry Fox.

However, Wes Tate scored on the stroke of half time to make it 3-2 and Brockwell finally got his second with a breakaway in the 65th minute.

East Preston had to settle for a 3-3 draw away to Westfield, for whom Mark Drinkwater hit a late equaliser. Kevin Rose and Lawrence Brand also netted for the hosts while Simon Clayton, Duncan Barnes and Jimmy Smith were on target for the visitors.

East Preston manager Vic Short said: "A point was a fair result. The other results didn't go for us but there is still a long way to go."

Lancing twice led away to struggling Storrington but eventually had to settle for a 2-2 draw. Jamie Cole and Neil Richardson netted for the visitors but those efforts were cancelled out by King and David Spink.

Lancing manager Andy Gander said: "It was a close game and I can't see why Storrington are in the position they are in.

"It wasn't really the result we wanted and it is still a tall order for us but we will keep pushing."

Second-placed Rye and Iden United closed the gap on Shoreham after a comfortable 3-0 win over Mile Oak. Sean Ray put Rye ahead with his 19th goal of the campaign, then midfielder Simon Colbran scored twice, with a volley and a fine header, to take his tally to 16.

Manager Alan Hodd, whose side are now just seven points behind Shoreham with six games in hand, said: "We have just got to keep winning our games in hand."

Seaford are up to eighth in the table after the recalled Simon Young scored twice in a 4-3 win over Oving. Player-boss Duncan Kneller, with a penalty, and Steve Lambert also netted while replies came from Brian Clarke (two) and Chris Snow.

Broadbridge Heath were 2-1 winners over Shinewater Association thanks to goals from John Walters and Paul Young, with his 26th of the campaign. Recent signing Rob Warner had earlier fired Shinewater into a first- half lead.

In the Combined Counties League, Withdean 2000 had to settle for a 1-1 draw away to Merstham, who finished the game with ten men. Roy Pook fired Withdean into a first-half lead but goalkeeper Dean Plant was helpless when Merstham netted a tremendous 30-yard equaliser.