Sussex had a couple of unlikely heroes in their South West Counties Championship triumph over Dorset last night.

Defenders Stuart Hack and Andy Lutwyche, who are not known for their goal-scoring feats at Arundel and Horsham YMCA respectively, scored two vital first half goals in the county's second group B game at Culver Road.

Striker Miles Scerri, who has 30 goals to his name for Arundel this season, ensured he was not upstaged by the defenders with the third in the second half.

The win leaves Sussex unbeaten in a competition they have won seven times, the last success coming two years ago.

They beat the RAF in the first game and next face a trip to Jersey in January. Cornwall and the Army are the other teams in the group.

Manager John Suter said: "It was pretty comprehensive in the end and I don't think the result really reflected the true nature of the game.

"The two goals in the first half came from unlikely sources but I don't care where the goals come from. They were important but we had enough chances in the second half to bury them and I think Dorset's goal was their only real attack.

"We have now played two and won two so of course I'm happy and the way we played makes it even better.

"We go to Jersey next which will be a nice little trip. I think all the players are looking forward to it because it means going on a plane and staying overnight, but we also want to keep playing well and hopefully keep winning."

Hack gave Sussex a deserved lead on 30 minutes. The hosts had controlled the game without threatening until East Preston's Matt Huckett swung in a free-kick which Dorset keeper Darren Wakeley made a mess of.

He tried to punch the ball clear but his effort lacked power and fell to the Arundel man who neatly lobbed the keeper from 20 yards.

The lead only lasted two minutes, however, as lanky defender Sean Bartlett headed home for 1-1.

Lutwyche ensured Sussex went into the break with the lead with a goal on the stroke of half time. Having been up for a corner he ghosted in unnoticed at the back post to head home from close range.

Scerri continued his goal scoring streak with the third on the hour mark after being set up by Huckett.

The goal killed off the visitors as Sussex dominated the final stages. Scerri almost added to his impressive tally with a shot which flashed just wide and substitute Neil Murfin of Chichester was denied by a point blank save by Wakely.

Dorset had to play for the last nine minutes with ten men when Lloyd Bacon went off injured but no replacement could be made as all substitutes had been used.

Sussex: McCarthy, Smith (Hibberd 78), Tucker, Hack, Lutwyche, Langridge, Duffield, Huckett (Jackson 82), Tipper (Murfin 73), Scerri, Rowland. Sub not used: Tidy.

Dorset: Wakely, S. Langrish, Hurren (Bacon 68), Bartlett, Bedward, Edwards, Blackham, Harvey (G. Langrish 46), Miller, Walden (Bellows 46), Tilly. Sub not used: Herouard.

Referee: Steve Francis (RAF).

Attendance: 180.

Man-of-the-match: Ollie Rowland.