Bognor took a giant step towards the division one south title thanks to a last-minute phone call by manager Jack Pearce.

The Rocks boss secured the services of Richard Davies on loan from Sidlesham and the young striker scored the 88th-minute winner against Sussex rivals Horsham to put Bognor within three points of leaders Carshalton with a game in hand.

Sidlesham have been helping an injury crisis at Nyewood Lane this season by allowing Davies and strike partner Scott Tipper to turn out for Bognor when they are not needed.

Pearce was quick to pay tribute to the role the County League side played as they had a game on the same day but still made Davies available.

He said: "I would like to thank Sidlesham Football Club because they have been ever so understanding.

"We were struggling to get players so I rung them this week and their manager Richard Towers, who has been very helpful, said 'which one do you want Richard or Scott?'

"I said I would like to take Richard so I would like to thank them for their understanding and if we can pay them back as a club in any way, we will."

Bognor should have wrapped the game up long before Davies scored his 32nd goal of the season with a neat finish under Ian Chatfield after coming on as a second-half substitute.

The Rocks dominated most of the game but failed to convert their possession into scoring opportunities.

Pearce said: "I was pleased overall with the way we played but we didn't really create much. That is one of the things that happens many, many times with us, we have a lot of the ball but get mugged one-nil.

"However, our second-half desire to score was excellent and we kept working hard until the end, which has been one of our secrets this season."

It was the first time Bognor had met Horsham at Queen Street in a league match for 52 years and it could be the last time for a while if Rocks continue their current form.

It was Bognor's fifth straight win and puts them in a prime position in the title chase because Carshalton lost 2-1 to Walton and Hersham.

The Rocks meet the leaders at home on April 8 and face a Sussex derby against third-placed Lewes at Nyewood Lane in the penultimate game of the season which could effectively win the championship.

Pearce, however, is not getting too carried away just yet.

He said: "It will be great for the Press and everyone else if it was all hanging on the Lewes game but from my point of view I would like to think that we were at least promoted by then.

"I think everyone is getting a bit carried away, there are still nine games to go and that's a hell of a lot.

"That's 20 percent of the season, that's 27 points so there is still a lot to play for."

Striker Matt Russell believes the result leaves the title in Bognor's hands.

The former Horsham YMCA forward scored his 30th goal of the season when he headed home Jodey Rowland's cross after 70 minutes to get his side back on level terms.

He said: "It is in our hands now. We have a game in hand and we are only three points behind so it is up to us now.

"The players know there is still a long way to go and there are some very good teams like Lewes still in the hunt but if we can keep going then we could do it."

Horsham took the lead with their third effort at goal on 40 minutes when Gary Charman fired home from 20 yards.

The goal came a minute after new signing Steffan Ball had the ball in the net but it was disallowed because he fouled Bognor keeper Craig Stoner.

Ball was again denied a goal on his debut after 68 minutes when his 20-yard drive was ruled out for a foul on Kevin Murphy.

Horsham manager John Maggs felt aggrieved by the defeat and admitted it spells the end of his side's promotion hopes.

He said: "I'm gutted really because we had the ball in the net three times and I couldn't see anything wrong with any of them.

"I feel really peeved and Jack Pearce summed it up when he told me he would have been as upset if it was the other way round.

"Our chances look gone now. We set ourselves a target at the start of the season of a top six spot and if we get that the club will be happy.

"We now have to look forward to next season and I will make some changes."

Horsham: Chatfield, Ottley, Westgate (Salako 17), French, J. Kirby, Carney, Butcher, Flemming, Geddes, Ball, Charman (Castrechino 58). Subs not used: Grant, Death, Kenward.

Bognor: Stoner, G.Rutherford, Rowland, Sargent (Hall 62), M. Rutherford, Murphy, Russell, M. Birmingham, Stevens (Davies 55), Howell, D. Birmingham. Subs not used: D. Kirby.

Referee: Kevin Haines.

Attendance: 549.