A stunning Kevin Townsend goal three minutes from time kept Whitehawk's bid for the runners-up spot in Division One on track as they edged a 1-0 victory over Hailsham.

The Hawks, who play Selsey tomorrow and Pagham next Saturday, can leapfrog second-placed Horsham YMCA and third-placed Chichester if they win their remaining two games although neither of the sides above them slipped up on Saturday.

Hawks' player-manager Ian Chapman said: "We have got two hard games left but we have given ourselves a real chance and shall do our best.

"We deserved to win the game as we had a lot of the ball without taking our chances. Kevin's goal was a 30-yard stunner and he was excellent in the centre of the midfield for us all game."

Pagham are promising to make life hard for the Hawks after securing a 1-0 win at Three Bridges courtesy of a goal by Steve Davies.

Lions boss Paul Gilbert said: "We are striving for an eighth place finish to equal last season. Whitehawk are going for the runners-up spot but we shall be going about things properly as we still have something to play for."

Meanwhile, Horsham YMCA set a new club record of 101 goals in a league season as they eventually strolled to a 4-0 win over Arundel.

Nick Flint saw a spot kick saved by James Latter before setting up Mick Hennessy's 67th-minute opener and then scoring himself.

Gil Taylor brought up three figures and Matt Duffield rounded things off.

Victory ensured at least third place for YM but was marred by a knee ligament injury to goalkeeper Jason Dumbrill, who was carried off.