Eastbourne Town were made to work hard for a 2-0 win at home to lowly Pease Pottage in County League Division Two.
Gary Brockwell opened the scoring with his 24th goal of the season and Luke Denton netted the second six minutes into the second half.
Manager Dave Winterton said: "They came looking for a point and they defended very well. We didn't play particularly well but we got the right result."
Town's title hopes got another boost after they completed the signing of former St Leonards manager Terry White on Saturday. White will take on the role as player-coach at the Saffrons.
Rye also won 2-0 at home to Broadbridge Heath. Neil Winton and top-scorer Scott Price got the goals in the last 20 minutes.
Saltdean climbed to fourth place after Liam O'Brien inspired them to a 4-0 win at Eastbourne United.
Missing five key players, wingback O'Brien was asked to play up front and promptly responded by scoring two and setting up the other two for Leigh Davis and Adam Burton.
Tigers boss Paul Hubbard said: "I had five key players missing and we went 3-4-3 just to keep players playing in positions they are comfortable with. Liam scored two and made two. I don't know how I will drag him back to left-wingback now."
Another two goal man was Oakwood's Martin Comper who scored both in a 2-0 win at home to Mile Oak.
Manager Andy Maddox said: "It has been a big criticism of mine that Martin does not get enough goals but he has got two braces in a couple of weeks now.
"I believe we will not make it (promotion) now but we will keep going. I want to finish as high as we can."
Seaford extended their winning run to four games with a 2-0 success at Worthing United which lifted them to seventh in the table.
Adam Kneller opened the scoring with a 35th-minute penalty awarded for handball. Neil Richardson missed a golden chance to level for Worthing before Mark Doherty headed a second on 62 minutes to confirm victory.
Crawley Down moved eight points clear of the relegation zone with a 2-1 win at home to rock-bottom Oving.
Goals from Simon Rutter and Mark Aldred early in the second half put the home side in control. Clive Muller pulled one back from a free-kick five minutes from time.
Joint-manager Shaun Donnelly said: "We didn't underestimate Oving. We knew they would battle hard and they gave us a very good game.
"We feel we are a better side than where we are in the league. We have a young side and they are learning all the time."
Steyning Town's survival hopes also got a boost with a 4-1 win away to fellow strugglers Westfield.
The match was effectively over within half an hour. James Hannah returned after a two-month absence with a foot injury to score twice and Richard Lester also bagged a brace. Duncan Jones pulled one back just before half time but it was no more than a consolation.
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