Ringmer's title challenge is fading fast and boss John Crumplin admitted YM are now odds-on favourites after watching his side draw 1-1 at Arundel.
Ringmer were lucky to be only trailing to Barry Pidgeon's goal at half-time but some strong words from Crumplin had the desired effect and Darren Tidey levelled from the spot in the second period after a foul on Dominic Shepherd.
Crumplin said: "It was a fair result. We were abysmal in the first half, the players couldn't wait for the game to end so they could go on their Christmas party."
Two second-half Tommy Pattenden goals made it 28 for the season for the Whitehawk goal machine as they won 2-0 at East Preston and climbed into fourth place.
At the bottom, Pagham came from behind to lift themselves out of the relegation zone with a 4-2 win over struggling Hailsham.
Joe Leggett and Brett Forden scored two apiece as boss Gary Shaw's wholesale changes at half-time, when he brought on all three substitutes, made the difference.
Shaw said: "It's funny because apart from the last 20 minutes that was the worst we've played for a while."
Improving Redhill beat Worthing United 4-0 thanks to goals from Ben Biggar (2), Luke Jones and Steve Jenns while Mark Goodwin's last-minute goal enabled Eastbourne United to defeat Chichester 2-1.
In division two, Peter Sweet hit a hat-trick as Pease Pottage beat Peacehaven 6-2 in the clash of the bottom two.
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