Eastbourne United took advantage of their rivals’ inactivity to open up a five-point lead at the top of the first division.

Brian Dennis’s side were good value for their 3-0 win over Wick, who began the day in third place.

Sam Crabb put them ahead with a fierce strike from an acute angle and after an own goal had doubled their lead, Ben Billings marked his return to the side by scoring direct from a corner.

“We played some really good football,” said Dennis. “There is a lot of confidence in the side at the moment and you could see that.

“The boys work hard at training and we are transferring that into matches because they are prepared to listen.”

United head to Ringmer tomorrow but they will be without Steve Morris (hamstring) while Ryan Alexander and Nicky Maynard are struggling with groin injuries.

“We have got a few injuries but I think we can cope,” added Dennis.

“Ben Billings came back after a month out on Saturday and was outstanding and summed up the whole performance.” United have won six of their last eight in the league and drawn the other two.

Three Bridges are another side in form and are up to third after Jack McNab, James Grant, Marlon Maxwell and Dean Wright secured a 4-1 win at Chichester, their third successive away win. Joe Briggs got his first goal of the season for City’s consolation.

Hailsham and Worthing United served up 12 goals at the Beaconsfield with the hosts coming from 2-0 down after 14 minutes to continue their climb away from trouble with a 7-5 win.

“It wasn’t a great day for defenders,” admitted Hailsham boss Ken McCreadie.

“I feel sorry for (United boss) John Suter because if you score five away from home you don’t expect to lose.”

Gavin Geddes and Andy Lutwyche have United their flying start but Adam Kneller and Scott McDonald restored parity before Danny Leach grabbed a hat-trick either side of half-time to put Hailsham in charge.

United twice reduced their arrears to a single goal but Callum Holles’ second-half double ensured Hailsham’s victory.

McCreadie added: “I always thought we were in a false position but we have got strikers now in McDonald and Leach who score goals for fun. Danny looked as if he could score every time he got the ball.

In contrast, the only other game to beat the freeze finished goalless with Redhill keeper Chris May making some good saves to earn his side a point at Selsey.