Neil Richardson headed the only goal against his former club as Worthing United won 1-0 at Lancing.
Richardson, signed from Lancing earlier this season, struck 11 minutes from time following a fine cross by Andrew Walsh.
United boss John Dutton said: "With the amount of players who have come across from Lancing it was always going to be a ding-dong battle. With it being my old club as well, it was an excellent result."
Saltdean United moved up to fifth place after a 6-0 stroll at bottom club Oving.
Adam Burton scored a hat-trick while there was one apiece for Brad Dougal, Lee Dray and Leigh Davis.
Tigers boss Paul Hubbard said: "Eastbourne Town and Rye are away and gone.
"East Grinstead are the only team we can target but they would have to slip up really badly. If we finish in the top six, I will be happy."
At the bottom, there were important wins for Seaford, Westfield and Steyning Town.
Seaford stretched their excellent recent run to 16 points from the last 21 with a 4-0 victory away to second from bottom Pease Pottage.
John Snelgrove was moved back into attack after a spell in midfield and he responded by hitting a hat-trick. Adam Kneller was also on target from the penalty spot after Tom Callaghan had been brought down by Pease Pottage keeper Chris Fowler.
Seaford boss Duncan Kneller acknowledged there is still much to play for. He said: "The table is so tight. Anyone outside of the top six must be looking over their shoulder."
A penalty from Mark Drinkwater, awarded for a push on Andy Moore, gave Westfield a 1-0 win at fellow strugglers Crawley Down.
Manager Steve Johnson said: "We had gone half-a-dozen games without a win so we needed to kick-start our season."
Richard Lester bagged the only goal as Steyning Town won 1-0 against Eastbourne United.
Lester struck with an overhead kick on the hour mark to end a run of seven straight defeats for Steyning.
Boss John Bolingbroke said: "To get a win was great. It wasn't the prettiest of games but to get the result was the most important thing for us."
Eastbourne United had chances of their own with Scott McDonald hitting a post while Richard Piper and Andy Atkin both went close but the result will increase the pressure on underfire manager Cyril Jeans.
Broadbridge Heath boss Allan Winton was pleased with his side's 1-1 draw at home to an in-form Oakwood side.
Paul Gallagher struck for Heath just before half-time and had two other efforts disallowed for offside. Nathan Pullen responded for Oaks with 25 minutes remaining.
Winton said: "Oakwood are a good, well organised side. I was pleased with our performance and a draw was a fair result."
Mile Oak beat Shinewater Association 4-1 with goals from Scott Carden (2), Neil Roberts and Tony Burnett. Tobi Hutchinson hit a last minute reply.
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