Ben Barnes insists his Chichester youngsters deserve the chance to be challenging for a place in the National League.

Chi beat bottom side City of Portsmouth 4-1 on Saturday to remain level on points with leaders Sevenoaks in South Premier division one.

With just one defeat all season, only goal difference is keeping them off top spot and, with Sevenoaks still to play next month, Chichester remain genuine contenders for promotion.

It has been a remarkable effort from a side who were promoted back to this level last season.

Player-coach Barnes, a former England captain, has played a key role in reviving the club's fortunes but he says it is his young players who have earned the right to challenge for honours.

Barnes said: "They have come so far in the last two years and that is why we are competing at the top. It is not a case of me coming back and just give the ball to Ben.

"Kieran Henn has come on so much, so has Jack Lerwill who has improved immensely.

Jon Weait was on the bench when I came back, now he is first team captain. People have really raised their game and raised their standards.

"One of our players, Paul Wallis, is a qualified fitness instructor and he is working really well with the team. It is stuff I did at Reading which I have tried to feed in here.

"We are making massive strides. We are working on strength and conditioning, trying to make it as professional as we can but still as enjoyable as possible. They are things I did when I was with England."

Chichester took a 2-0 lead inside five minutes thanks to goals from Freddie Coppin and Will Blockley, who also added a third just after half-time.

Richard Blakesley wrapped up victory before the visitors hit a late consolation.

Barnes admits his side have already exceeded expectations and that is making it easier for them to play their natural game.

He said: "There is not any pressure. The only pressure we have is the pressure we put on ourselves, trying to produce good performances and trying to get these guys to improve at the rate I know they can.

"People are enjoying their hockey which is what it is all about.

"If we go up this year then brilliant. If not we have set out our stall to be competitive in this league and hopefully above in the future."

Brighton and Hove, Chi's next opponents on Saturday, almost gave their county colleagues a helping hand as they held Sevenoaks to 1-1 until the closing stages on Saturday only to concede a late winner.

Jamie Hendricks got Brighton back on level terms after they conceded an early goal and the visitors looked good for a point until Sevenoaks scored from a short corner with three minutes to go.

Lewes produced a good performance to win 2-1 at Staines with goals from Danny Poulsen and Dave Roberts. Victory was even more impressive as Lewes lost George Miller (illness) and Carl Wright (injury) on the morning of the game.

In the Kent/Sussex Regional League, it was a disappointing day for all three Sussex sides.

Worthing needed a late equaliser from Cerdic Atkinson to draw 3-3 with bottom side Old Williamsonians. Dan Lock and brother Bryan also netted.

Ian Brown scored for Horsham but they conceded a late goal to draw 1-1 with lowly Blackheath while Eastbourne's promotion hopes all but ended as they lost 4-1 at home to Folkestone, Danny Williams netting.

Eastbourne, though, bounced back on Sunday as they beat Harpenden on penalty strokes after a 3-3 draw to reach the fourth round of the National Trophy. Williams, Dan Hill and Phil Glasbrook netted while in the shootout Andy Webborn made one save before Rob Cornell hit the winner.

In Kent/Sussex division one, Steve Innes hit a hat-trick as Crawley won 5-1 at Bexley Invicta. South Saxons defeated Gillingham Anchorians 3-1 with goals from Pete Burton (two) and Andy Acott but Southwick lost 3-1 at New Beccehamian despite a goal from Andy Cockerell.

Marc Livesley and Matt Hough netted for Mid Sussex as they lost 3-2 to Marden Russets and there were also defeats for Penguin and Hailsham.