Micky O'Callaghan got off his sick bed to give Ringmer's title hopes a tonic.

O'Callaghan was not even in the squad for the game at Eastbourne United as he recovered from 'flu but boss John Crumplin persuaded him to sit on the bench after Darren Tidey suffered a tight hamstring in the warm-up.

O'Callaghan hot-footed it to the Oval and got the only goal with 25 minutes to go when he headed home Andy Ducille's cross.

It means Ringmer have stretched their lead to eight points after closest rivals Horsham YMCA were held to a 1-1 draw at Sidley.

But Tidey is not the only injury concern for Crumplin who says he will have to strengthen his squad for the run-in.

Julian Curnow may have torn a thigh and Clay Lamont went off with a hamstring injury. At least Matt Beeston is due to return to training this week after recovering from a broken foot.

Crumplin said: "It was virtually the first time for ages I had a full squad and I got three injuries.

"It was a good result. Eastbourne battled hard but I felt we had enough good chances to deserve the three points."

Sidley have now taken four points off the top two after substitiute Simon Cork equalised with 20 minutes to go against YMCA at Gullivers.

Shaheen Sadough and Dave Gellatly missed good chances in a goalless first half before YM broke the deadlock when Glen Woodburn got his head on Gellatly's 52nd-minute free-kick. But those wasted opportunities proved costly when Cork fired the equaliser from just inside the box.

YM boss John Suter said: "We had 70 per cent of the ball and should have made it count in front of goal, we gave them their point really."

Whitehawk are up to third after they won 2-0 at Hailsham.

Graham Martin opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Tommy Pattenden was fouled and Wayne Chart got a close-range second eight minutes after the break.

Hawks boss Ian Chapman said: "We've looked really solid in the last few games and that has given us a platform to get a run going."

Another side who have their eyes on a top three finish are Eastbourne Town.

John Piercy's missed penalty when the game was goalless did not matter as they ran out 3-1 winners at home to Redhill to close to within two points of Arundel.

Greg Manton and Steve Dallaway's second-half double did the trick but it was the hardworking performance of midfielder Luke Denton which caught the eye of boss Ady Colwell.

"He won so many second balls in the centre of the park," said Colwell.

At the bottom Shoreham ended a great week, which saw them reach the league cup final, by claiming three vital points at Hassocks.

New signing Tom Levitt got the only goal when he converted Aaron MacMillan's cross and it was fairly comfortable for the Musselmen until late on when Hassocks pushed men forward in search of an equaliser.

Shoreham boss Jason Rutherford said: "It was a great result. Apart from the last ten minutes I didn't think we allowed Hassocks to create too much, we looked pretty solid."

Southwick's excellent point at Chichester was marred by a bad injury to teenage midfielder Jordan Saunders.

The 16-year-old had to be taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg after a bad tackle from Belal Miah which earned the Chi player a straight red card.

Wickers had gone 2-0 in front thanks to goals from Jay Roberts and Wayne Joseph but Alex Brockway rescued the hosts with two goals either side of half-time.

Wickers boss Chris Webber said: "It was a good result but the shine has been taken off it by what has happened to young Jordan. Belal has apologised, he said he was frustrated but it was a bad tackle.

"I'm disappointed we couldn't hold on to three points but we played some decent football and Ben Counsel in goal made good saves when he had to."