Former England international Andy Sinton has backed Horsham to win the Ryman division one title.

Sinton's Fleet side were blown away by the in-form Hornets at the Atspeed Stadium last night.

Two goals by Carl Rook, plus strikes by Nigel Brake and Jamie Taylor, took John Maggs' side to within a point of leaders Ramsgate.

Horsham have four games remaining and arguably have an easier run in than their title rivals.

Sinton, who played for QPR, Tottenham, and Sheffield Wednesday, said: "Horsham are a certainty for promotion and I think they will win the title as well.

"We have played every team in this division and they are the best. We couldn't cope with them at times and they showed us the level we want to reach, which is the biggest compliment I can pay to them."

Maggs said: "I don't want to think about the title but promotion is ours to throw away now.

"We are good enough, we just need to play like this in our remaining games."

Home fans were treated to highlights of Hornets' recent 7-0 drubbing of Ashford on a big screen in the clubhouse before the game.

And some would have been optimistic of a similar scoreline in the early stages as Horsham threatened every time they attacked.

Rook went close after six minutes with a volley that deflected for a corner.

Leftback Ian Payne then flashed a curling 25-yard drive past an upright.

Rook had the ball in the net soon after but his neat finish was ruled out for offside.

Taylor should have scored his 26th of the season on 14 minutes when he sent a free header wide from Brake's teasing cross.

Horsham's top scorer went close again 60 seconds later with a fizzing long-range shot that had keeper Phil Smith scrambling across his goal.

The home side finally made their superiority count of 22 minutes. Lee Carney's free-kick from the left skidded off the wet surface and Rook swept it past a static Smith.

Fleet could have levelled five minutes later but Matt Lewis, unmarked and in space from Nathan Smart's cross, miscontrolled the slippery ball and keeper Rob Frankland was quick off his line to smother.

Taylor completed a hat-trick of first-half near misses with a low curler from the edge of the box that hit the side-netting.

Horsham wasted two more golden opportunities just after the break before they killed off the visitors.

Gary Charman had a sidefooted effort saved by the legs of Smith and then Rook headed over from two yards.

Rook quickly made amends by scoring his second on 63 minutes. The former Hastings striker cut inside Paul George and curled his shot around Smith's full length dive and inside the far post.

Brake made the points safe two minutes later when he stooped to nod Carney's perfect centre into the bottom corner.

Taylor added the fourth on 63 minutes with a diving header after being picked out by strike partner Rook.

Fleet's consolation came seven minutes from time when substitute Kevin Cooper, who almost joined Horsham earlier this season, slotted under Frankland from close range.

Hornets are next in action at Whyteleafe on Friday before hosting Burgess Hill on Monday.