Eastbourne Borough manager Garry Wilson believes the home supporters have been worth a goal start to his side this season.

A record number of fans for an eastern division game this season packed into Priory Lane on Saturday to see them extend their lead to four points at the top of the table.

The attendance of 689 was well above Eastbourne's average of 493 which is the second highest in the division behind King's Lynn who average 598.

Wilson was quick to praise the role played by the fans. He said: "They have been absolutely magnificent and have made such a difference this season. To have a record crowd against Burnham who don't bring many is brilliant.

"When the team sees a crowd as big as that I think it's worth a goal start, I really do. When I first came here there was only 200 odd turning up, but it's amazing how much people have seen what's going on and have come out to support it."

Whether Eastbourne as a town can support top-level senior football has often been disputed and the amalgamation of two of its four clubs, Shinewater Association and Eastbourne United, next season has done nothing to dispel the doubts.

But Borough coach Nick Greenwood believes the numbers speak for themselves.

He said: "Everybody said Eastbourne couldn't support a high level of football but this proves it obviously can and there is massive interest here.

"To come out at three o'clock and see all those fans was brilliant. They are so positive and the players can't help but get a lift from them."

The record turnout helped Borough to a victory which was the perfect birthday present for Wilson, who turned 40 on Tuesday. The club put on a party for the Scot after the game but it was on the pitch where the Borough manager was celebrating.

The home side never looked in danger of repeating last week's disappointing 2-0 defeat at Rothwell Town which was their first loss in the league for 18 games.

After Matt Crabb had fired a sweet left foot shot into the top corner on 14 minutes Borough looked calm and assured against a Burnham side doing their best to spoil the party.

The visitors had five players booked to the home side's none which told its own story and Wilson was delighted his side rose above Burnham's rugged approach.

He said: "We broke Burnham's spirit and it was very important that we scored that early goal. They are a very undisciplined side and they don't have the quality so they try and ruffle teams up.

"We didn't have anybody booked which I am very pleased with and we didn't get embroiled in a battle which is easy to do. We kept our heads and didn't get dragged down to their level. That shows a maturity in the side and it's a credit to the players."

Four minutes after Crabb's opener captain Daren Pearce doubled the advantage from the penalty spot after John Westcott had been pulled down by Paul Brett.

The visitors scored a penalty of their own through Terry Mitchell on 59 minutes when Darren Baker tripped Michael Bartley.

But that was a minor scare for Borough who soon put the game beyond doubt when Ben Austin powered home a header from Pearce's corner with 15 minutes remaining.

The goal was just reward for Austin who had produced an inspirational second half performance and the former Eastbourne Town player earned extra praise from his manager.

"He is a very important player for us and he did very well," Wilson said. "We asked him to be more positive when going forward and to try and hit the target much more than he had been. He showed he is beginning to do that now and he did very well with his goal."

Wilson's birthday weekend was given an extra boost by the news that title rivals Dorchester had only drawn 1-1 at Dartford.

The results leave Borough in pole position for the trip to Dorchester for a crucial top-of-the-table clash tomorrow, but Wilson is taking one game at a time.

He said: "The results have gone our way so I will be able to enjoy my birthday a lot more now. It gives us some breathing space at the top and makes it a bit easier for the Dorchester game which is going to be massive.

"It is not just about that game though, we still have seven more after that against some tricky sides so we have to go on from here and make sure we don't slip up."

Meanwhile, St Leonards suffered their second home reverse in the space of five days when they lost 2-0 at home to Rothwell, but manager Gary Bowyer drew heart from an encouraging display.