Bottom club Brighton came close to pulling off the shock of the season in London Three South only to be narrowly denied a first win by leaders Dartfordians.

Tries from Morgan O'Connell and Ian Broughton plus a Ross Wendover penalty had given Brighton a 13-7 half time lead but Dartfordians came back after the break to win 15-13.

Brighton player Gary Henderson said: "We were looking quite comfortable at half time and playing really well but we are just not getting the rub of the green at the moment.

"There were a few poor decisions which allowed them to get back into the game in the second half and that sums up our luck."

Lewes climbed to third with a hard-fought 16-10 home victory over second bottom Bognor.

It looked like plain sailing for the home side when tries from Nick Giles and Tim Hemsley plus two penalties from the boot of Huw James had established a 13-0 lead after 45 minutes.

Bognor refused to lay down and staged a spirited comeback which saw winger Steve Woolacombe and Rob Parry go over but it was not enough as another James penalty secured Lewes the points.

A stunning solo try from Eddie Armah earned Chichester a battling 8-6 victory at home to Gravesend to reignite their title ambitions.

Chi were trailing 6-3 midway through the second half when Armah collected the ball deep in his own 22 before launching a kick into the Gravesend half and bursting through to pick the ball up and score.

Chi player Frank Corby said: "We are only four points off the leaders so we are quietly confident we can go on to challenge for the title now. We have played everybody now and don't think we have anything to fear, especially at home."