George Wakeling's Hastings side took another step towards the Dr Martens eastern division title with a crushing 4-0 victory over their local rivals St Leonards.

The win maintains Hastings' seven-point lead at the top of the table with four matches remaining and leaves struggling Saints firmly rooted to the bottom.

Top scorer Paul Jones gave Hastings the lead with a near post header from Duncan McArthur's corner in the 32nd minute and second half goals from Danny Simmonds, Chris Honey and Stuart Myall ensured the win for the leaders.

Town have now taken 34 points from a possible 36 in their last 12 league games and are poised for promotion to the premier division.

Wakeling said: "We could have had a lot more goals. They were lucky to go in 1-0 down, and you could see the gap. The league table doesn't lie, we are top and they are bottom.

"I was pleased with the finishing, the hard work and strong running. They couldn't cope with Paul Jones' pace and Chris Honey's strength. We had no weaknesses and it was a another good win."

Hastings were fortunate not to go behind in the sixth minute when Saints' best player Des Boateng hit the post from Andy Johnson's cross.

Town then gained the initiative with former Saints player Adam Flanagan heading over before Jones nodded in from close range.

McArthur was unfortunate not to double the score within a minute when his volley hit the bar.

Eleven minutes after the break John Odlum gave away a penalty for a foul on Jones which Danny Simmonds tucked away.

Chris Honey added the third with a fiercely struck shot in the 74th minute after a good ball from fullback Steve Yates. A minute later, former Albion player Stuart Myall rounded off the scoring with a clinical finish.

St Leonards have just six games to save themselves starting at home to Eastbourne Borough on Thursday night.

Manager Glyn White said: "We conceded a bad goal in the first half and the penalty changed the game when our keeper got the ball."

St Leonards: Odlum, Smith (Webb 70), McCann, Henderson, Calloway, Cornelius, Johnson, Barham, Godden, Boateng (Whyman 66) Elford. Not used: Moody.

Hastings: King, Yates (Penfold 89), Osborne, Playford, Burt, Flanagan, Myall (Eldridge 86), McArthur, Jones, Simmonds, Honey (Restarick 84). Attendance: 915.

Ref: S.W.Creighton (Woodley)

Eastbourne Borough kept their hopes of a top six finish alive with a 3-0 win at Erith and Belvedere.

John Westcott, an own goal and a third from sub Mark Goodwin took Borough to the win while Erith had their top scorer Darren Adams sent off after 30 minutes for a kick at John Scarborough.