Eastbourne United showed title-winning qualities when they came from 2-0 down to beat Pagham 3-2 and maintain their advantage at the top of the County League.

Dave Berkowitz’s first match in charge of the Lions looked like ending in victory after two goals either side of half-time from Rob Wimble put the hosts in charge.

Lucas Mann pulled one back but Sam Crabb then hit the bar with a penalty and United must have feared the worst.

But Crabb levelled before Mann popped up from left-back to scramble an 85th-minute winner.

Boss Brian Dennis said: “I didn’t think it was going to be our day when we missed the penalty but we showed terrific spirit. If we are going to win the league we will have to grind out results which is what we did.”

Horsham YMCA remain two points behind after right-back Scott Marshall spoiled John Suter’s emotional return to Gorings Mead with an 87th-minute strike in a 2-1 win over Worthing United.

Manager Chris White felt justice was done even though his side left it late. He said: “If we’d led 3-0 at half-time it wouldn’t have been an injustice but we gave them a sloppy equaliser and they made it hard for us. I’m pleased with the result but we can play better.”

Hassocks’ boss Dave John hopes his side will still be awarded the points after their home game was abandoned after 87 minutes when Selsey striker Rob Brown suffered a broken leg in a challenge with Hassocks’ goalkeeper Jack Simpson.

Both Simpson and the protesting Ashley Marsh was sent off and referee James Harding called the game off at 5.30pm with the ambulance five minutes away and the stricken Brown still on the pitch.

Hassocks were leading 4-1 thanks to two goals apiece from James Laing and Laurence Robinson.

John said: “We called for an ambulance straight away but it took so long to arrive and quite rightly they didn’t want to move the player.

“Of course we feel desperately sorry for him but it would be a total injustice if the result was not allowed to stand.”

Whitehawk boss George Parris ruled out a title bid despite a fifth successive league win. Lee Pontin and Jay Head scored in a 2-0 home success over St Francis Rangers but Parris admitted: “We’ll keep going but I think it might be beyond us.”

Arundel’s title challenge faltered at Lingfield where Danny Gillard and Pani Ortis both scored twice in a 4-1 win for Steve Perkins’ men while Three Bridges are up to fourth after a 2-1 success at East Preston.

Goals from Carl Dunk and Jack McNabb either side of Lee Farrell’s equaliser did the trick but Bridges’ boss Paul Faili admitted it had been hard work.

He said: “East Preston are one of the best sides we have played this season and in a totally false position.

“I’m sure they will take points off the top sides so it was a great win for us.”

Title outsiders Redhill and Chichester shared six goals with Aaron Murphy getting a last-minute equaliser for the home side but Wick’s challenge suffered after a 2-0 defeat at Ringmer.

Former Ringmer boss Steve Johnson saw his new club East Grinstead crash 4-0 at home to Hailsham and admitted he will have to make changes if he is to keep them in the league.

“If we play like that we won’t win a game for the rest of the season,” said Johnson. “I didn’t want to make radical changes but conceding seven goals in two games isn’t good enough.”

Danny Leach scored twice for the Stringers but also had a penalty saved by Lee Whibley. Hailsham boss Ken McCreadie tried to get Johnson to his club when he left Crowborough last month and has sympathy for his pal’s plight.

McCreadie said: “He was getting some stick for one of his substitutions so I stuck up for him. People have to remember that it is not Steve’s side and he has still got time to turn it around.”