Lewes opened up a four-point lead at the top of division two after winning 3-0 at East Thurrock while second-placed Horsham were pipped 1-0 at Berkhamsted.

Substitute Sam Francis hit an 11th-minute second half hat-trick to leave Rooks needing a maximum of eight points from their remaining four games to secure the title.

They dominated the opening half with the best chance coming in the 41st minute. A Lee Newman corner was met by Stuart Hack but Thurrock defender Steve Carter headed off the line.

Just after the restart a good save from goal keeper Ross Standen denied the home side's James Dwyer.

The opening goal came on 71 minutes as Francis curved a fierce 20-yard shot into the top corner.

Two minutes later it was 2-0 with Francis finishing off a cross from Danny Davis and Newman provided him with the ball to score his third.

Horsham had plenty of possession at Berkhamsted.

After an early scare, when Peter Clifford headed wide for the home team, Hornets were in control. A Jamie Taylor effort from a corner was blocked on the line before Steve Payne shot just over the bar. Gary Charman and David Flemming also went close.

The visitors increased their work-rate after the break. Flemming beat O'Connor to the ball but was unable to turn it in.

Taylor was adjudged to have committed a foul as he tried to force a Charman cross home before goalkeeper Sean O'Connor saved a fierce Payne shot.

But, the home sidebroke the deadlock in a rare attack after 74 minutes, Ben Smith heading in a John Richardson cross.

Hornets manager John Maggs added Marcel Dennis to the attack in an attempt to get back into the game.

Taylor hit a post while Stuart Hardy shot wide late on.

Worthing's topsy turvy run of results continued with a 4-2 home division one win over Staines Town with all the goals coming in a crazy first half.

Rebels led 4-1 after only 35 minutes but Paul Johnson was gifted a second for Staines moments later and Worthing then had to hang on.

Goalkeeper James Wastell was their second half hero, pulling off a serious of vital saves to give Rebels only their second home league win under Barry Lloyd.

Ben Carrington drove Worthing ahead after only nine minutes but Nick Hooper headed Staines level three minutes later.

Josh Biggs, playing his first full game for Rebels, immediately restored their lead with his first goal for the club and Paul Kennett made it 3-1 on 32 minutes.

Kennett struck after Carrington went up for Chris Hibberd's cross with goalkeeper Matthew Lovett, and the goal rush continued when striker Gavin Jones hit a cracking fourth.

Staines were given some hope when Johnson cashed in on Warren Smart's mistake nine minutes before the interval.

Bognor boss Jack Pearce bemoaned his side's cutting edge as they lost 1-0 at Walton and Hersham.

Manager Jack Pearce said: "I couldn't complain about the performance. We worked hard as a team, but that's about it. We just don't look like we can cause problems when in the final third."

Rocks looked the more threatening in the opening stages and Jody Rowland, Charlie Balfe, David Birmingham and Michael Birmingham had chances.

The home side came more into the game and Rocks goalkeeper Craig Stoner was forced to save from Paul Harkness.

Stoner saved again from Harkness in the 50th minute and Reggie Savage headed the winner from the corner.

Guy Rutherford, David Birmingham and Richard Hudson had further opportunities to salvage a point.