The leaders trailed at half-time to Down's only shot on target despite dominating.

Hillman said: "I had a few things to say to several of the players at half-time.

"Granted, Crawley Down took their goal well but I couldn't believe that with all the possesion and chances we'd had that we went in behind.

"But our second-half performance showed what we have got here at the club.

"We showed spirit, a will to win and some great football.

Thundered

"I knew it was going to be a tough match so I chose an experienced side and that counted as the game went on.

"While we can play pretty football, you also need to show a big heart at this level and that is what you saw out there."

Down's opener came on the 25-minute mark when Darren Fryer found himself with time and space on the right-hand side. He sent in a measured cross that was met by Andy Bizzell who rose high above the pack to loop a header over stranded goalkeeper Neil Parkins.

But there was always the feeling that Sidlesham would play themselves back into contention, with several players catching the eye.

In midfield, Wayne Eastman stood out with his tenacious harrying, while captain Calvin Hore always looked a threat going forward.

It was Hore who laid on the equaliser on the hour. His throughball released the pacey Steve Warwick who ghosted past his marker before rifling in a low shot.

Down's keeper Matt Heaseman did well to block the drive, but could only look on as the ball spilled into the path of the incoming Darren Atkins who thundered the ball home.

Sidlesham hit the winner ten minutes later. Chasing a lost cause.

Eastman dispossessed Down defender Bob Chambers before squaring it to Dave Pettican on the edge of the box. Pettican neatly sidestepped a defender before slotting the ball into the net just and inside the post. Down rallied late on but Sidlesham held on for a deserved victory.

The result now leaves them four points ahead of the chasing pack made up of Arundel, Crawley Down and Hailsham.

Hillman said: "People ask me if I am surprised that we are doing so well this season.

"But I can honestly say that with the squad I have we should be up there pushing for promotion. We have a nice blend of youth and experience.

"We should really have been in this position last season but got bogged down in several cup runs and lost our way in the league.

"But we beat some quality Division One teams in the cup last year and I think that gave us the belief that we should not be frightened of any team in the league.

"There's a long way to go but it would be great to take Sidlesham up to the to top flight for the first time in our history."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.