Stewart Dunbar scored his third hat-trick in four games as Brighton got off the mark in South Premier division one.

Dunbar struck three times as promoted Brighton shared a 4-4 draw with Spencer (Wandsworth).

He had failed to find the net in last week's opening day defeat at Ashford but had scored hat-tricks in the Sussex Cup game with Crawley and a friendly against Oxted before that.

Player-coach Craig Carolan, who is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, believes it is great news that Dunbar has found his form in front of goal.

For the last few seasons Carolan has been Brighton's goalscoring talisman but he now feels there are players in the side to ease that burden.

Carolan said: "Stewart is in good form and it takes the pressure off me a bit.

"Last year I felt if I didn't score we did not look like scoring but that has changed now."

Carolan was pleased with a point as his side is still adjusting to this new level.

He said: "Spencer have been at the top end of this league for the last couple of seasons.

"We are still a little naive and I was disappointed because we had started so well but we have played better hockey in these first two games than we were playing at the end of last season.

"As a coach you can't just look at results. You have to look at performances and I feel we are coming along nicely."

Brighton were without Carolan on Saturday as well as three summer signings injured duo Eric Boogardt and Neil Burlinson plus the unavailable John Fitzpatrick.

South African goalkeeper Chris Choyce came in for his first competitive game while Jamie Hendrix celebrated his call-up to the first team with a goal.

Brighton raced into an early 2-0 lead only to be pegged back by half-time. They twice regained the lead through Hendrix and Dunbar before having to settle for a point.

Carolan said: "You notice the difference when you step up a level. We are playing against people who are much more smarter, more experienced and more skilful.

"You can't make the errors you made a division down and if you do you get punished."

Lewes were left frustrated after their game with Ashford was called off just before the start due to a mix-up over umpires.

In division two, Chichester staged a late comeback to salvage a 3-3 draw away to Trojans.

Despite taking the lead through a good goal from Neil Pendle, Chi trailed 3-1 at half-time and could have no complaints. They took the game to their hosts after the interval but had to wait until six minutes from time before pulling a goal back through Richard Blakesley from a short corner.

With two minutes remaining player-coach Ben Barnes levelled matters after a short corner had broken down and Chi then had a last-minute penalty corner scrambled away.

Barnes said: "I am disappointed not to win but we took a lot out of it. We showed a lot of character against a Trojans side who will be there or thereabouts."

In the Kent/Sussex Regional League, all three Sussex sides lost.

Worthing went down 4-2 at home to Folkestone despite goals from Ramiz Inga and Alex Warner (penalty) while Eastbourne lost 2-0 at Ashford.

Mid Sussex started with only seven players after one car got lost on the way to the ground and they never really recovered as they lost 5-0 away to Sutton Valence.

However, it was a better performance once they were up to their full quota with their best efforts coming from short corners.

Mark Liveslee hit a post and Mike Dovey's effort was ruled out despite clipping the top of the backboard.