Yemi Odubade scored his 34th goal of the season as Eastbourne Town maintained their 14-point lead at the top of division two with a 1-1 draw against second-placed East Grinstead.

The draw will suit both sides, particularly as fourth-placed Lancing went down 1-0 at home to Worthing United.

With more than three months of the season still to play it is looking like Eastbourne Town, Rye and East Grinstead for the three promotion places.

A crowd of 263 saw Grinstead get the perfect start on Saturday when Steve Banks marked his 200th appearance for the club by ending a seven-match goal drought with a first minute opener.

Town hit back in the first minute of the second-half when Odubade was tripped by Dave Garrett just inside the penalty area.

Referee Gavin Bowles was perfectly placed to award a spot-kick and although Dave Tidy superbly saved Odubade's first effort he was unable to prevent the striker from slamming home the rebound.

Odubade had another penalty appeal turned down later on while Grinstead wasted a great chance to grab maximum points in injury time when Lee Hanson scooped his close range effort over the bar from eight yards.

Grinstead boss Bob Smith said: "I thought it was an excellent performance and it should give the players a lot of confidence for the rest of the season.

"We worked hard, defended well and I can't remember us starting a game so well for a long time. That first 20 minutes gave us a platform for the rest of the match against a very good side who will definitely go up."

Town manager Dave Winterton added: "We would have liked to have won but the main thing was not to let them get three points."

Eastbourne are waiting to hear whether former St Leonards manager Terry White will join them as player-coach. Rye and Iden United have also made White an offer.