Eastbourne United boss Micky French will be in the Caribbean when his side's first division fate is decided this week.

French leaves for a holiday in the Cayman Islands today with his side needing to beat Ringmer at The Oval on Friday to preserve their place in the top flight.

With a week of the season left, only one of the three relegation places have been filled with two from United, Southwick and Redhill, who finish their fixtures at Whitehawk tomorrow, to take the drop.

Redhill will survive if they win, but a draw might not be enough if United beat Ringmer. Southwick, who have a more inferior goal difference to both of their rivals and have finished their fixtures, can only stay up if both teams lose.

United led 2-0 at Chichester on Saturday but had to settle for a 2-2 draw. Andy Atkins put them in front and Scott McDonald converted a penalty following a foul on Bobby Godfrey.

But after City's fightback, United were grateful to goalkeeper Mark Oldroyd for a late save from substitute Dave Kelly's header to preserve a point.

French, whose assistant Cyril Jeans will run the side against Ringmer, will enjoy his holiday whatever happens.

He said: "I'll probably be sitting by the pool enjoying a nice drink when I find out what happens.

"It is up to the players. We did well for the first half on Saturday, but the players didn't follow my instructions in the second half and in the end we were quite happy to take the point."

Redhill boss Bill Tucker is planning to bring in reinforcements for the trip to East Brighton Park after watching his side lose 3-1 to champions Burgess Hill.

Striker John Gissind and midfielder Keiron Collins, who have both been playing Kent League football this season, will be added to his side for a match Tucker feels his side are capable of winning after an encouraging performance at Leylands Park.

Tucker said: "Burgess Hill are a strong side, but we gave it 100 per cent and we had the chances to upset them. Herve King came off the bench and had two efforts within two minutes of coming on."

Lee Isaac, an own goal and Nick Sullivan put Hillians 3-0 in front before Glen Barlow pulled a goal back.

Comeback of the day came from Pagham who trailed 1-0 at Saltdean with eight minutes to go but ended up winning 4-1.

Midfielder Jason Broomhall was their hero, converting a hat-trick in the space of six minutes, including a penalty.

Louis Hammond added a fourth in injury time against a shellshocked Tigers outfit who had deservedly led for much of the game through Chris Rustell's own goal.

Pagham boss Paul Gilert said: "When we equalised I was quite happy to take the draw, but we just kept going."

In the other game Selsey defeated Whitehawk 2-1 with Paul Lee scoring his 22nd goal of the season for the home side.