Pagham returned to the top of the table after defeating Eastbourne Town 1-0 in division one.

Manager Richie Reynolds said his men had been finding it difficult to kill teams when dominating, but after missing three great chances in the opening half Pagham clinched it through Tony Stephens midway through the second period.

He said: "There were three golden opportunities to finish it off, but we failed to put the chances away.

"Eastbourne Town are the best team to have visited us this season. They had a tough defence which was difficult to break down."

Steve Poulton missed a one-on-one, Lee Stevens hit the bar with a deflected shot and Stephens missed a free header.

But Stephens made amends by robbing a defender and planting the ball home from 12 yards.

Problems Russell Mason thinks his Redhill team are having similar problems finishing off teams.

His side battled hard for a 1-0 win against Lancing, which was secured by a Luke Gedling goal 19 minutes from time.

He said: "We're a very open side and do have problems putting away our chances.

"The matches are always entertaining because of our style of play, but I thought in the second half we were much tighter and defended better.

"Ryan Hackett has to be singled out for praise. I thought he was terrific."

Gedling picked up a loose ball and shot a shot home off a post to secure the points.

l LITTLEHAMPTON pulled off a masterstroke when they sent on defender Derek Chester as a makeshift target man at Whitehawk.

Chester struck from a near post corner to clinch a 1-0 win for Marigolds in the John O'Hara Cup.

Assistant boss Adie Cooper was delighted with his side's defensive work.

He said: "We have looked solid for the last three or four games."

Chester was on for Steve Davies, who was forced out of the action by a calf strain.

He was not the only Littlehampton man in the wars. Richie Hellen suffered a cut to the head and Darren Akmenkalns a gashed knee.

Both were taken to hospital.

Mark Sheriff went close to giving Hawks the lead with a first-half header but Ross Standen had to make a couple of saves at the other end.