Arundel and Redhill both won to improve their prospects of winning the closest title race in years.

Pagham missed the chance to go back to the top after they lost 4-0 at home to Selsey to leave the top six separated by just four points.

Redhill are sixth after beating Oakwood 2-1 and are four points behind leaders Wick, who beat East Preston 5-2 on Boxing Day, with three games in hand.

But seventh-placed Arundel are the side the others fear after their 5-2 win at Chichester left them seven points off the pace with four games in hand on Wick.

Gary Norgate scored a hat-trick and James Crane and Lloyd Walker were also on target with Chi pulling back late consolations through Ben Vassallo’s header and Dave Towers’ own goal.

Boss Richard Towers admits he would rather have points in the bag than games in hand but knows his side are in a good position.

He said: “We had four first-choice players out on Saturday but still won comfortably so that bodes well for when we get everyone available again.

“The league is so tight but we are in a good position. Games in hand mean nothing if you don’t win them but we are playing well with a lot of confidence so hopefully we can take advantage when we play those games.”

Redhill took control against Oakwood through Tony Reid’s penalty and a fine solo effort by Lee Radford before Jamie Lovegrove pulled one back in the second half.

Former Pagham player Billy Rayner stunned his old club with two goals in the first two minutes as Selsey took control at Nyetimber Lane.

Rayner struck with his left and right foot to delight a big contingent of visiting fans and the contest was over by half-time after Mark Lee headed a third and Tom Ridley found the top corner from close range.

Boss Danny Hinshelwood hopes the victory gives them the impetus to climb the table.

He said: “We have proved we can mix it with the best sides in this league. All we need to find is the consistency to go with it.

“We played really well on Saturday. We scored some terrific goals and the atmosphere was superb with all our fans there. In the second half Pagham had a go but we worked really hard.”

A second successive defeat has further dented Ringmer’s title ambitions. They lost 2-0 at home to Whitehawk for whom Josh Jones and Joe Gatting were on target.

Hawks’ boss George Parris said: “We have beaten some good sides this season but have lacked consistency. Hopefully this result will give us a lift and we can push up the table.”

At the bottom, Pani Oritis’ deflected first-half strike earned Lingfield a hard-fought 1-0 win at East Grinstead, a defeat which keeps the Wasps in the bottom three. The home side should have equalised in the second half when Matt Edwards hit the bar and visiting goalkeeper Dan Burnett made fine saves to deny Edwards and substitute Steven Major.

Grinstead assistant manager Phil Major said: “We had six first-choice players out including three strikers but we played well and definitely deserved at least a point.”

In division two, leaders Seaford were thumped 5-1 away to Peacehaven for whom Paul Dudson scored twice. Callum Saunders, Tom Burton and Ryan Smith were also on target with Seb Kazemi hitting the lone reply.

Rustington took over at the top after winning 2-0 away to Littlehampton.