Skipper Carlo Missirian believes Brighton can still clinch promotion despite losing 4-1 at home to Kent and Sussex Regional League leaders Holcombe on Saturday.

Defeat has left Brighton in third place, six points behind Holcombe and three behind Tulse Hill.

But Missirian said: "We are not out of it. We have just got to win every game and see what happens.

"The score was not a reflection of the game at all. We played our best hockey in the first half.

"I am very proud of what we achieved but we just didn't take our chances. They are a good side but we matched them for 80 per cent of the game and it could have gone either way.

"Two years ago we were relegated and it was all doom and gloom. We have done so well to come up this year and be one of the front-runners in this league."

Paul Watson put Brighton ahead in the second half and Richard Love missed a chance to double the lead.

Holcombe equalised almost immediately from a disputed short corner and they went on to score three more times to clinch a flattering victory.

The season now goes into its winter break but Brighton will know there is plenty to play for with matches to come against Holcombe and Tulse Hill.

Horsham will be Brighton's opponents on January 6 when the second half of the season gets underway.

They remain fourth despite losing 2-1 to Blackheath on Saturday. Dom Cohen put Horsham ahead at half time but the home side fought back in the second half.

Crawley are fifth in the table after beating Old Williamsonians 3-2.

Mid Sussex were held to a 5-5 draw by a previously pointless Marden Russets side.

Mids led on three occasions but needed a goal from James Buckeridge at the end to claim a draw.

Buckeridge struck from a short corner which was taken after the final whistle. It was his second of the game, while the other scorers were Duncan Wood-Allum, James Goodwin and Nick Saltmarsh.

Goals from Matt Petit and Brian Lock were not enough to prevent Middleton and Bognor from losing 4-2 away to Folkestone.

EASTBOURNE stretched their good run to ten points from the last four games with a 4-1 success over Penguins in Kent and Sussex One.

Phil Hunt, skipper James Mackay and Toby Reed all scored from open play to put Eastbourne 3-0 ahead at half time.

Dave Morgan extended the lead in an even second half before Dave Matthews grabbed a consolation.

Newhaven remain bottom after losing 5-0 at home to Ashford.

Worthing's match away to Cliftonville was postponed and could be rearranged for this weekend.

Worthing have been drawn away to Sunderland in the third round of the HA Vase on January 21.