Brighton skipper Carlo Missirian believes his side's first defeat of the season has left them even more hungry to win the Kent/Sussex Regional League.

Second placed Tunbridge Wells won 1-0 at Brighton on Saturday to close the gap at the top to nine points with a game in hand.

It means Brighton must win four of their remaining six games to be guaranteed the championship, starting with this week's visit to rock bottom Old Williamsonians.

Missirian said: "It has come at a good time for us because there was pressure building up on us to stay unbeaten.

"We are obviously disappointed to lose and it isn't ideal to lose to the second placed team because they will feel they have got a chance now but we are still nine points clear and have a ridiculous goal difference advantage. It has just focussed us more for the job at hand."

The Kent visitors scored from a short corner on 15 minutes to provide Brighton with their first defeat in 16 league games this year.

However, the hosts had enough chances of their own to get something out of the game.

Paul Watson had an effort disallowed before Tunbridge Wells scored. In the second half, Craig Carolan sent an effort just wide after a move involving Pietro Attala and Richard Cooke, while the visiting keeper made three superb saves, the pick of them being from Carolan.

Missirian said: "It was probably the worst we have played this year. We just couldn't get any continuity going.

"We had 12 or 13 short corners. That was what crucified us. At any level of hockey, if you don't put your short corners away you will get punished."

Mid Sussex returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory away to Folkestone.

After an early opener for Folkestone, Mark Humphreys equalised from the penalty spot after Luke Hurle was fouled and Hurle scored himself in the second half to secure the points.

Worthing also enjoyed a 2-1 win at home to Herne Bay.

A scrappy game saw Worthing go ahead early on from a crisply struck Rex Fuller short corner.

After that, Worthing goalkeeper Daniel Godsmark was called upon to make some smart saves.

With five minutes left Worthing broke to score a second as John Massie and skipper David Edmondson combined to set up Mark Duncan to slot home.

Herne Bay immediately scored a penalty stroke to set up an anxious last couple of minutes.

Horsham slipped to second from bottom after losing 2-1 away to third placed Blackheath.

Robin Sims scored Horsham's consolation from a short corner with Blackheath leading 2-0.

Skipper Richard Lowe said: "We played a bit better and had the better chances. They had a good short corner routine and scored both goals from that.

"We were more compact as a team but a lack of confidence in front of goal let us down. We haven't scored an open play goal for five games now."

Crowborough gained some reward for their recent good form as they won 3-2 away to Burnt Ash in Kent/Sussex division one.

After holding then leaders BBHC to a goalless draw before losing just 2-1 to subsequent table-toppers Sutton Valence, Crowborough were pleased to get some points at last.

Darren Pulman put them ahead but Burnt Ash hit back.

Skipper Phil Newington put Crowborough back in front and Stuart Clark added a third before half-time. The hosts reduce the deficit in the second half.

Eastbourne lost 3-1 at home to BBHC despite a first half equaliser from top-scorer Kevin Williams.

Paddy Cornish found the net for South Saxons but they lost 2-1 to Kings College London and are now in the bottom two.

Crawley lost 2-0 at home to Marden Russets.