Sam Francis starred again for Worthing with a brace as Alan Pook's men kicked off the new year in style at Whyteleafe.

Rebels, who took an early lead through Francis, were pegged back just ahead of the interval before two goals in the final five minutes clinched victory.

Francis' goal tally is now 22, with ten of them coming in his last six full games, and he gave his side a perfect start on 15 minutes with a close-range effort after good work involving Mark Pulling and the fit-again Ben Carrington.

Carrington later shot wide from a good position before Graham Harper brought Whyteleafe on terms by drilling in a shot from 18 yards.

Worthing, beaten only once in their last nine games, stepped up the pressure in the second half to force a string of corners and Pulling restored their advantage five minutes from time.

The midfielder reacted to drive the ball into the roof of the net when, from a Wesley Lopez corner, Paul Rogers had an effort parried by goalkeeper Danny Rose. Francis crowned Worthing's win by sidefooting his second on 88 minutes when put through by Carrington.