Former Albion defender Stuart Tuck was the hero and villain as he helped Burgess Hill pip Sussex neighbours Worthing 2-1 at Leylands Park.

Tuck fouled Andy Alexander to concede a sixth-minute penalty from which Danny Davis put the visitors ahead.

Tom Edmonds levelled seconds before the interval and Tuck laid on the winner for Lloyd Cotton with seven minutes to go.

But Rebels joint manager Danny Bloor believes Tuck was fortunate to still be on the pitch as his high-flyers suffered their third match without a win.

He said: "I don't want to make a fuss but Stuart was the last man when he conceded the penalty and should have been red-carded.

"We've not had the best Christmas but we must keep smiling. It is not all doom and gloom. We can bounce right back to third with a couple of wins."

Hillians boss Jamie Howell was delighted as his side stretched their unbeaten run to six games. He said: It wasn't a great spectacle because of the strong wind and it was hard-fought."

Horsham YMCA boss John Suter believes his side's 2-1 victory over rejuvenated Sussex relegation rivals Eastbourne Town could prove to be crucial.

YM came from behind after Liam Baitup converted a penalty for the hosts three minutes after the re-start.

Substitutes Andy Ottley (58 minutes) and Richard Greenfield (88) grabbed the goals which put YM within a point of Town in the relegation scramble.

Suter said: "It was a six-pointer because defeat would have seen us go seven points behind Eastbourne.

"Our first goal was flukey but Richard finished well for his goal.

"I was delighted we bounced back after losing to Burgess Hill on Boxing Day."

Town manager Ady Colwell, whose side had taken seven points from the previous nine, was frustrated by the manner of YM's winner.

He said: "It was a long ball over the top to their striker and we should have dealt with it. I told the players just that.

"We have to get back to basics. At least we got three points out of six for the holiday games."