Whitehawk stayed top of the County League but there was controversy at Ringmer as the leaders won 2-0.

The game was goalless with 15 minutes remaining when Ringmer’s Darren Lok skipped a challenge to smash the ball home only for referee Stuart Green to pull play back for a free-kick.

Ringmer joint boss Bob Munnery said: “Darren Lok pushed the ball past the last defender, rode the tackle but as he struck the ball into the net the referee blew his whistle.

“I’m disappointed because we had the better of the game until then, we scored a legitimate goal and the referee should have applied a bit of common sense.

“You also have to say if he pulled it back for a free-kick, their player was the last defender but he didn’t get a card.”

Ringmer’s frustration was complete when Hawks scored twice in the last five minutes through Wes Tate and substitute Danny Davis to snatch the points.

Hawks joint boss George Parris said: “That was a huge slice of luck for us and ultimately it changed the game.”

Hawks gave a debut in goal to 19-year-old Lloyd Anderson as Stuart Robinson has left the club to join Grays. Anderson is on non-contract forms at Crystal Palace where he has played for the reserves.

Wick remained four points behind the leaders after 18-year-old George Gaskin scored his second hat-trick of the season to secure a 3-0 win at home to St Francis Rangers.

Chichester climbed to third after coming from behind to win 3-1 away to Hailsham thanks to second-half strikes from Alec Brown, Michael Long and Adie Brockway.

There was a thriller at East Court as visitors Redhill scored in stoppage time to win 4-3 against East Grinstead, who had fought back from 3-1 down with 12 minutes to go.

Luke Piscina put Grinstead ahead but the Lobsters hit back through Daniel Morris, Marcus Elliott and Josh Bonnett. Piscina’s penalty and John Sinclair’s strike levelled matters before Redhill snatched it in the fifth minute of injury time when John Difford diverted home a shot from Charles Ofusuhene which was going wide.

Redhill boss Dean Forbes said: “For the neutrals it was brilliant but I was pulling out what little hair I have left. My boys showed real character.”

Pagham overcame the loss of a host of regulars to win 2-1 away to Crowborough thanks to goals from Ryan Cox and Scott Towers. Boss Dave Berkowitz said: “We were missing seven or eight but the boys who came in played really well.”

Arundel beat Lingfield 3-1 thanks to goals from Scott Tipper (two) and Tom Pickford.

There was a shock in the John O’Hara League Cup as second division Seaford Town came from behind to win 3-2 away to Shoreham thanks to goals from Drew Greenall, Matt Jones with a penalty and Chris Logan. Nick Fogden and Sam Blundell scored for the hosts.

Seaford boss Bob Laundon said: “We were there with a tactical plan in mind and it worked.

“It was a great result but also a shame we can’t do that a bit more often in the league. Shoreham have some great players but we were the better side on the day.”

Gary Block’s first game in charge of Selsey ended in a 2-0 defeat at Peacehaven although they were on top until Billy Chatfield was sent off in the second half.

Andy Wilkinson and Carl Dunk scored in the final 20 minutes to give Peacehaven victory.

Block said: “We showed a lot of commitment. I told them to go out and play, which they did, but when we went down to ten they opened us up.”

Eastbourne United made hard work of a 2-1 win in the Sussex Senior Cup at home to second division East Preston, whose manager Trevor Waller was sacked on Thursday.

Jamie McKenzie hit a late winner for United who had led through Steve Dallaway, only for Neil Reilly to deservedly level matters.

United boss Brian Dennis said: “They could have won it before we scored. We were poor but good sides win games when they are poor.”