The odds are against Worthing winning the division one south title but Rebels believe they are well worth a bet.

The table suggests they are not in the running. They occupy sixth place and are 13 points adrift of leaders Windsor and Eton. But Rebels have four games in hand and, if they picked up maximum points, could be a point off the top.

The form guide is in their favour as well. They have won five matches in a row and lost just once in the last 16 league games.

Assistant manager Danny Bloor, who works in horse racing betting syndicates, said: "Alan Pook (manager) and myself are winners. My business is gambling so I have to believe I am going to win.

"Until it is impossible then we will keep giving it our best shot and if we continue to show the same character, I don't see why we can't win it."

Worthing remain the dark horses because of their gruelling fixture list.

They start a run of four away games in eight days with a trip to Egham on Tuesday.

Worthing will need to keep striker Sam Francis fit to have any chance of picking up maximum points from those games. He has scored 34 goals this season and showed another side to his game against Tooting by setting up all three goals.

Francis believes a tiring schedule will not be a problem because all four games are against teams in the bottom half of the table.

He said: "We shouldn't be counted out just yet. If we can win three out of our next four games then I think that will be enough for us to challenge for the title."

There is also a sense realism, particularly from captain Paul Rogers.

The experienced midfielder, making his 50th appearance for the club, set the Rebels on their way with the first goal after 22 minutes. He side-footed home from eight yards after Francis had found him with a clever cut-back from the by-line.

The former Albion skipper believes the rigours of having to work as well as play could hinder Rebels' title hopes. But he insists Worthing must be consideered as one of the front-runners for the final furlong.

He said: "It might just be a step too far with the amount of games we have to play. It's difficult for some of the lads with the type of jobs they've got. It's okay for those of us who sit in an office all day, but if you're up and down ladders, then it's a bit more difficult to prepare for midweek games.

"It is going to be tough but we have quite a big squad. So while it's still possible then hopefully we can carry on with the winning habit."

Worthing dominated the first half but Rogers' goal was cancelled out two minutes before the break after a lapse in concentration.

Eben Allen was left unmarked at a free kick and had time to control the ball, turn and drill a low shot under Will Packham from eight yards.

Rebels deservedly regained their lead on 50 minutes when a Francis cross from the right wing was headed in from close range by Nko Ekoku, his second goal for the club.

But Tooting were again allowed to level because of poor marking in the Worthing penalty area.

Substitute James Husband drilled in a low cross on 71 minutes which the unmarked Goma Lambu turned in at the back post and celebrated with a series of back flips.

However, Worthing substitute Mark Pulling capped a superb week with the winner eight minutes from time.

Pulling scored a hat-trick from corners in a 3-1 win at Corinthian Casuals last week but missed the 2-1 victory against Bracknell in midweek through suspension.

It meant he lost his place in Saturday's team, but he still made a big impression by firing past Tooting keeper Les Cleevely from ten yards after a shot by Francis was blocked.

The only sour note for Worthing was the dismissal of Shaun Grice two minutes from time for a second bookable offence following a scuffle with Allen, who also received a second yellow card. Grice looks likely to miss the derby against Lewes in a fortnight."