Oving had Adie Miles in charge for their 3-2 victory over division two leaders Worthing United on Saturday.

A family bereavement meant manager Paul Gilbert was not present to see two goals from Alex Stay and one from Jimmy Hasler steer Oving to within seven points of United with two games in hand.

The victory keeps Oving in the promotion frame, although chairman Alan Miller believes the race remains wide open.

He said: "Worthing will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season, but so will five or six other teams.

"On the evidence of this result we should also be in the picture but it is all about consistency. Our recent form has not been too good but we tried to keep playing football on Saturday in boggy conditions."

Worthing hit the post in the final minutes after late goals by Gavin Jones and Dave Clark had set up a grandstand finish.

Fellow promotion hopefuls Broadbridge Heath beat Crawley Down 3-1 with Brian Young, Lee Carney and Mark Gilbert on target as Jon Ducker replied.

Brian Clarke's first game as caretaker player-manager at Bosham ended with a 3-3 draw against visitors Mile Oak.

It could easily have been a victory for Clarke but Wayne Whittington's second goal of the game on 90 minutes saved a point for Oak. Tony Burnett was also on the scoresheet while Bosham's scorers were Kevin McCutcheon, Hugh Howden and Paul Barnes.

Sean Randell marked his return to Peacehaven from Saltdean with two goals in a 2-2 draw at Westfield.

Peacehaven manager Peter Edwards said: "Sean spoke to Saltdean manager Glenn Burvill and he kindly released him so he could play for us on Saturday.

"Sean felt he needed a new challenge to prevent himself going stale as he has been at Saltdean four years."

An 18th minute penalty and his second goal after 31 minutes had put Peacehaven into a 2-1 lead after Darren Paine had earlier given Westfield the advantage. Steve Ringwood netted the equaliser a minute from time.

Edwards added: "I cannot be too disappointed with a point as the conditions were terrible.

"We were ankle deep in mud and if that pitch was deemed playable I find it hard to understand how any game could have been off in the county."

Storrington sunk Shoreham 3-2 with goals by Rob Norris, Kristian Bridle and Matt Bridle. New signing Darren Mansell and Mark Pulling replied.

A Tony Holden strike gave Southwick a 1-0 win over Crowborough while Shinewater picked up a valuable point against Wealden with a 3-3 draw after Wayne Pettigrew scored with a last minute free kick.

Richard Spooner and Ross Osborne also struck for Shine while Paul Rider, Lee Sale and Craig Brown replied.

East Grinstead's match with Oakwood was postponed.