Whitehawk are in with a chance of snatching the runners-up spot in division one after they were the only side in the top five to win yesterday.

A 2-0 victory over already relegated Peacehaven, plus defeats for both second-placed Horsham YMCA and third-placed Sidlesham, saw Hawks leapfrog over Ringmer, who were without a fixture, into fourth with three games to play.

Hawks player-manager Ian Chapman said: "It is in our hands now. If we win our three remaining games we finish second behind champions Burgess Hill. However, the way we have been playing, I would not bet on us doing that.

"We have Hailsham, Pagham and Selsey to play and we have given ourselves a chance. We have guaranteed this club a first finish in the top ten for many seasons."

A Simon Rowland header and Kevin Townsend finish from eight yards wrapped up Hawks' win in the second half.

Horsham YMCA had defender Dean Carden sent off for two bookable offences as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat to visitors East Preston and there was controversy with YM manager John Suter convinced his side should have had a penalty with the score at 1-0 following Si Clayton's early headed goal.

Suter said: "I am loathe to criticise referees but I fail to understand why a Horsham-based official was in charge of a Horsham side.

"When that happens they bend over backwards to prove they are not biased and it can go too far. We should have had a penalty for a shirt-pulling incident on Mick Hennessey.

"Although it was clearly two or three feet in the area, the referee gave a free-kick outside the box. It was a wrong, wrong, wrong decision at a very crucial time.

"We have now let Whitehawk back in and if they win their remaining three games they will be runners-up. The terrible thing for us is that we have been in second almost all season and come the last Saturday it may be the first time that we are no longer there."

East Preston boss Vic Short was delighted with his side's attitude after a defeat against Redhill on Saturday.

He said: "We had a few words after that game and the response was tremendous. We now finish as the top team in our area as Arundel drew."

Matt Huckett scored a late clincher for East Preston to take his tally for the season to 28.

Sidlesham responded to the disappointment of their 2-0 John O'Hara League Cup defeat to Selsey on Good Friday by beating Chichester 1-0 and boss Richard Towers has not written off his side grabbing that coveted second spot yet.

He said: "We were pig sick after Friday but I set the lads the target of winning their remaining four games and if others above us slip up we could sneak in there. I was really pleased with the way we responded."

Sixteen-year-old Joe Leggett was the Sidlesham hero, coming off the bench to score the winner with virtually his first touch after a neat one-two with Glen Bridgeman.

Leaders Burgess Hill took a fourth-minute lead through Steve Harper but James Laing headed home a Pat Harding cross on 78 minutes as Hassocks earned a 1-1 draw.

In division two, leaders Eastbourne Town beat Eastbourne United 5-1 with goals from Yemi Odubade (2), Gary Brockwell (2) and Leon Cumming but Rye and Iden kept up their title push with a 1-0 win at Westfield courtesy of Craig Willard's goal.

Withdean 2000 returned to form after two goalless draws as they thumped Cobham 6-0 in the Combined Counties League with Mark Pulling (2), Sam Francis, Chris Dicker, Owen Hill and Damien Dobbyn on target.