In-form Ollie Pearce scored four goals while Worthing hit six and strengthened their hold on second place.

They pulled in another big crowd and maintained the buzz around Woodside Road.

But boss Adam Hinshelwood ended the day visiting his goalkeeper in hospital and looking back at the goals his side conceded.

Rebels were 6-4 winners over Dover in the Vanarama National League south.

Both halves of a remarkable contest at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium saw them score three, then concede two.

But the win was marred by a serious injury to Josh Jeffries, the young goalkeeper on loan from Southampton.

Jeffries came out of his box to clear a bouncing ball but saw it loop over his head.

As he turned and twisted, he also seemed to clash ankles with an opponent.

Replays showed an horrendous landing for Jeffries, whose foot veered off in the wrong direction.

He then screamed and writhed in agony as players from both teams rushed to help.

Jeffries was on gas and air as he was carried off on a stretcher but managed to clap fans who were applauding him.

His place in goal was taken by Rocco Rees.

Hinshelwood said: “I went to see Josh at Worthing Hospital and he was going to have a re-alignment before going back to Southampton for an operation.”

Almost 1,600 saw Dylan Fage, Joel Colbran and Pearce put Worthing in charge.

From 3-2, Pearce went on to put the contest beyond doubt as he took his tally to 29 goals in 30 league games.

Dover scored two more in the closing stages.

Hinshelwood said: “There was lots of good stuff but the goals we conceded were down to us switching off.

“The first one was from a wide area and maybe caught Rocco cold, then there was a penalty.

“From 3-0 up we were 3-2 at half-time.

“Then we came back out and blew them away.

“Maybe it is lapses of concentration.

“I thought we had got over that in the last few weeks but obviously not.

“To see it re-appear was a bit concerning.

“It was more a case of our lack of concentration.”

Worthing’s 72 goals is 11 more than runaway leaders Yeovil and makes them the highest-scoring team in the division.

Only six teams have conceded more than their 48 goal – and four o them are in the relegation zone.

Eastbourne Borough were due to play Truro City at Taunton but that game was called off as early as Friday morning.

Results...

Pitching In Isthmian League, premier: Bognor 1 Cheshunt 1; Haringey 1 Whitehawk 1; Hastings 1 Lewes 3; Horsham 1 Wingate and Finchley 1.

Isthmian south-east: Burgess Hill v Ashford postponed; Cray Valley PM 0 Chichester 0; East Grinstead v Horndean postponed; Herne Bay 2 Broadbridge Heath 1; Littlehampton 4 Hythe 4; Sevenoaks 4 Lancing 2.

Southern Combination, premier: Bexhill 1 Loxwood 1; Crowborough 0 Steyning 2; Peacehaven 1 Hassocks 2; Saltdean 2 Pagham 3; Shoreham 2 Uckfield 1. Other matches postponed.