Greg Nicol could be the man to turn Brighton and Hove's promotion dream into reality.

The shock arrival of South Africa's record goalscorer could be the final piece of the jigsaw, according to player-coach Craig Carolan.

Brighton, already playing at the highest level in their history following promotion last season, are now aiming for place in the National League.

Ashford and current leaders Bromley and Beckenham stand in their way but Carolan believes Nicol's capture will be a huge boost to a squad already brimming with confidence.

Nicol, who scored four goals on his debut against Spencer (Wandsworth) nine days ago, has a phenomenal international record of 244 goals in 191 Test appearances.

Still only 30, he quit international hockey after the 2004 Athens Olympics where his record was eight goals in six games.

He has considerable National League experience with the likes of Surbiton and Holcombe.

Carolan, a friend and compatriot, said: "He was not a player we went hunting for but when he asked to join we certainly weren't going to say no "I have just changed jobs. I have moved to Whitgift School and Greg has taken my old job at Caterham School. We used to play together in the National League, we got talking about the job and it went from there.

"You only have to look at his Test record. If anyone scores more goals than games played at international level then you can imagine what he can do at club level."

Brighton are also looking to complete the signing of a Dutch player ahead of Saturday's game at Sevenoaks.

Carolan, who scored 46 league goals last season and 79 the year before, put Nicol's talents into perspective.

He said: "I can score goals but his goalscoring ability pales mine into insignificance.

"I thought we would go close to promotion this season without these two guys. We have dropped only two points in our last six games which speaks volumes for the squad.

"The way we are playing we would be up there anyway but these two will give us a little bit of insurance.

"We still need other results to go our way. If Ashford win every game left they will win the league. We can't rein them in unless they drop silly points, even if we beat them.

"We can catch Bromley and Beckenham if we beat them.

"Ashford is our last game of the season and it could come down to that."

Lewes have kissed goodbye to their hopes of promotion from the same division following a third straight defeat, this time 4-2 away to lowly Eastcote.

Adrian Bettesworth scored twice from short corners for Lewes, who are currently missing key forwards Kyle Black and Carl Wright, who could be out for the season with a back injury.

Player-coach Luke Hurle said: "We talked about things at Christmas and made the decision to blood some younger players. We are doing that and looking towards next season."

Horsham strengthened top spot in Kent/Sussex division one with an emphatic 8-2 win away to third-placed Crawley.

Mark Ansell, who returned to the club at Christmas after spells in the National League with Guildford and East Grinstead, scored a hat-trick to make it 11 goals in two games after bagging eight in the 19-0 demolition of Bexley Invicta the week before.

Richard Lowe also chipped in with a hat-trick while Mark Humphreys and captain Ian Brown scored one apiece.

Brown said: "Being relegated last season has certainly done us no harm. The squad is buoyant, everyone is training hard and has the bit between his teeth.

"It is still tight at the top but the gap between the top two and the rest is getting bigger."

Like Crawley, Southwick slipped a place in the table after crashing 4-2 at home to Sussex Police, who are now off the bottom.

Stuart McConachie (two), Paul Sellings and Luke Reynolds netted for the Police. Sellings said: "We had a bit of an injury crisis at the start of the season and with the level we are playing at if you have three or four weaker players you will be found out.

"We have players returning now and hopefully it is onwards and upwards."

South Saxons lost 7-0 at Kings College London while Penguin were beaten 8-1 by Old Williamsonians.