Callum Saunders and Andy Wilkinson got braces as Peacehaven won 4-0 at basement side Crowborough to step up their County League division one title hunt.

Victory lifted Peacehaven into fifth place and put them in good heart for tomorrow’s game against struggling Hailsham and this weekend’s visit of Bristol Manor Farm in the FA Vase.

Saunders gave The Tye a 14th minute lead while three goals early in the second half put the game beyond reach of battling Crows at Alderbrook.

Peacehaven assistant manager Terry Hall said: “We played quite well for most of the first half in difficult conditions but gave them chances in the last 15 minutes.

“We got the ball forward and made the game safe with some quick goals in the second half. We did what we had to do and we’re glad we were able to play with games on Tuesday and then the Vase coming up.”

Wilkinson struck twice from left midfield and Hall said: “He’s a good utility player for us.

“We have played him at centre-half for a couple of games but the left midfield slot is where we want him as he is powerful and gets forward well.”

Chichester’s James Temple struck twice to give them a 2-0 win over Three Bridges to keep them in third spot behind top two Whitehawk and Wick.

Mile Oak manager Anthony Whittington was disappointed with St Francis Rangers’ equaliser as he felt it was a clear handball by Geoff Pitcher which cancelled out Kieran Howard’s excellent 25-yard strike in the first half.

Whittington said: “We started the game well and went 1-0 up but in the second half St Francis played well.

“They deserved their equaliser but we were not happy with the manner of it as the ball was punched into the net.

“That neither of the officials saw it is disappointing and you would expect one of the two to see a blatant handball.

“The ball was almost behind him and he stuck out a hand to help it in.

“Although it’s a bit early in the season, the game was almost a six-pointer so it would have been nice to have hung on and it would have dragged them down there with us. But we’ll take the point and move on.”

Hassocks grabbed an injury-time equaliser in a 1-1 draw with visitors Lingfield despite finishing the game with ten men following a serious injury to Stuart Faith after they had used all their substitutes.

James Laing blazed home after Lingfield failed to clear Phil Gault’s free-kick into the box. Lingfield had earlier scored with a well-worked goal through Gibson.

Robins boss Dave John said: “It was a well-earned point after we had played the last 20 minutes with ten men and were trailing. Faith got a bad cut to a foot and it took paramedics an hour to sort it out after the game.”

Whitehawk joint manager George Parris insists that the cups will not be a distraction for his table-toppers who are bidding to leave the County League behind them at the earliest opportunity.

Hawks sunk Selsey 3-1 in the Sussex RUR Cup thanks to goals by Sam Crabb, on his debut, Jay Head and Darren Budd and Parris was pleased to move into the fourth round.

He said: “The cups are just as important to us as the league as they give you another chance to win a game of football.

“We will take every game on its merits and it’s nice to be in the next round.”

The division one matches at Arundel, Hailsham and Redhill were postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

The Senior Cup tie between Shoreham and East Grinstead was also postponed, as was the RUR Cup clash at Eastbourne United where Wick were the visitors.