Brighton left it late before cruising to a 3-0 victory over bottom side Marden Russets in the Kent and Sussex Regional League.

The victory keeps Brighton on the tails of the top two, Holcombe and Tulse Hill, who meet each other this weekend.

Only one team is guaranteed promotion and Brighton skipper Carlo Missirian knows his side must beat both of the top two before the end of the season.

Missirian said: "It is a bit worrying with only one going up and goal difference counting. We have just got to concentrate on ourselves and not worry about anybody else.

"The top two play each other this weekend and I haven't worked out the permutations of what result would be best for us yet."

Brighton had to be patient at Marden Russets on Saturday, with Missirian hitting a post in the first half and the opening goal not coming until 15 minutes from time when Dan Hacking netted. Richard Love soon made it 2-0 and Graham Pruce added a third.

Horsham are fourth in the table, but ten points behind Brighton, after coming from behind to win 2-1 at home to Folkestone.

After falling behind, Mark Ansell scored a goal of the season contender to draw Horsham level and then Richard Lowe struck a winner ten minutes from time.

Skipper Neil Burlinson, who is the Horsham goalkeeper, said: "Having let in six goals the week before, we defended very well, which was pleasing."

Mid Sussex jumped three places to sixth after a convincing 4-1 victory at home to Blackheath.

Phil Middleton opened the scoring from a short corner after just two minutes and Duncan Wood-Allum doubled the advantage seven minutes later.

The match was as good as over by half time after Luke Hurle scored a third.

Blackheath pulled one back in the second half but Hurle scored his second to wrap it up.

Goalscorer Middleton said: "We didn't play our best-ever hockey but we did enough to win. We were quite clinical with the chances we had."

Crawley were overpowered 5-1 by leaders Holcombe while Middleton and Bognor were hammered 10-0 at home to Tulse Hill.