Burgess Hill went top of Ryman south with a 2-1 win away to managerless Hastings United.

On a day when many games were victims of the weather, the Hillians maintained the only unbeaten league record in the top eight tiers of English football.

Hastings had Mark Stapley and John Masters in caretaker charge following the resignation of Dom Di Paola on New Year’s Day.

The home team produced a spirited display before finally succumbing to an 85th-minute goal from Dan Pearse.

Burgess Hill, having made five changes from their New Year’s Day win against Three Bridges, took the lead on 41 minutes through Lee Harding.

Hastings levelled 19 minutes from time thanks to Ade Olorunda but they went down to ten men two minutes later when Richard Rose was dismissed for a second bookable offence and the Hillians made the extra man play in the closing stages.

Victory lifted Ian Chapman’s side above Faversham, whose match was among many postponements.

The Hillians are top on goal difference but still have four games in hand.

In County League division one, Pagham went top with a 4-0 win at home to Chichester thanks to goals from Dan Martin (two), Tom Broadbent and Andy Brown.

Arundel won 4-1 at Selsey in the only other division one game to beat the weather. Scott Tipper bagged a hat-trick for the Mullets with Niall O’Hagan also netting after David Rough had given bottom side Selsey the lead.

In division two, Mile Oak triumphed 4-0 at Seaford Town thanks to goals from Andy McDowell, Lloyd Skinner, Eric Wedge-Bull and Adam Dine.