Kwan Browne marked his return to Britain with five goals in a weekend of mixed fortunes for East Grinstead.

The Trinidad and Tobago international captain missed the first five league games of Grinstead's season after being stuck in America, where he was sorting out a visa problem.

But he returned to hit a consolation for Grinstead as they lost 5c1 to Surbiton in the National League premier division on Saturday and then scored four times on Sunday as his side eased into the last 32 of the HA Cup.

On a generally good weekend for Sussex clubs, Chichester also reached the last 32, Brighton recorded their first win of the season in emphatic style and Worthing maintained their early push for promotion.

Browne, last season's player-coach, has reverted to a playing role this year and his presence has been sorely missed. He flew into Gatwick on Friday and look a little rusty during Saturday's disappointing league defeat.

The loss was Grinstead's fifth in six games but manager Matt Jones felt they could have got something out of the game.

Changes were made to the starting line-up to accommodate Browne's return but they did not work and Surbiton, boasting several England stars, led 4-0 at the break.

Grinstead, having re-jigged at the interval, took the game to their hosts in the second period, creating a number of open play chances and forcing eight short corners but they only had Browne's successful conversion four minutes from time to show for their efforts.

Jones said: "We were very dominant in the second half and probably had about ten chances.

"We could have turned things around but we didn't convert our chances which is so important at this level.

"The promising thing is with a full squad together we showed we can dominate teams like Surbiton."

Sunday was a morale boosting stroll for Grinstead as they cruised to a 9-2 win away to Staines with Browne scoring four times - three from open play - Ben Payne grabbing a hat-trick and Ashley Jackson notching the other two.

Jones said: "That was really good for us. It showed how we can play and will help with our morale."

Grinstead now face a tough trip to division one leaders Belper in the fourth round while Chichester are away to Olton and West Warks after hammering Hamble 10-1 away.

Goals came from Phil Ball (three), Neil Pendle (two), Paul Wallis (two), Will Blockley (two) and Sam Beere, although it took Chi 24 minutes to break down their hosts.

That made it a bumper weekend for Chichester who had also battered Barnes 8-3 on Saturday to go second in South Premier division two. Pendle scored twice while there was one apiece for Ben Barnes, Dave Foster, Ball, Jack Lerwill, Blockley and John Weait, with his first league goal.

Player-coach Barnes said: "To score 18 goals in a weekend is great for confidence.

"On Saturday we led 6-0 at half-time. We let them back into it a little back in the second half but that can happen in games like that."

In division one, Brighton moved off the bottom after a 6-0 defeat of second-placed Sevenoaks.

John Fitzpatrick led the way with a hat-trick on his return from a two-week holiday while Kevin Browne, Stuart Dunbar and Sam Rose added one apiece.

Skipper Richard Baker said: "We have been a bit unlucky so far but everything seemed to click on Saturday."

Lewes, who had started the day top, were thrashed 8-1 by Bromley and Beckenham, with Kyle Black scoring the consolation.

In the Kent/Sussex Regional League, Worthing remain fourth top and just a point off the top after skipper Bryan Lock scored the only goal in a 1-0 defeat of Tunbridge Wells. Manager Rob Warner said: "Bryan scored a very good goal from open play and we also kept our first clean sheet of the season, which was pleasing with Tony Thompson in goal, who had not played for 18 months before this season."

Eastbourne twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with leaders Maidstone. Dom Barnes and Chris Burden got the goals.

Mid Sussex remain bottom after a 6-1 defeat at home to Folkestone, Mike Dovey scoring their consolation.