A trio of sides from Eastbourne are among the early frontrunners in the race for honours in County League division two.

Eastbourne United are the early season leaders, Shinewater Association also boast a 100 per cent record after two games and Town have opened their campaign where they left off last season.

Micky French's United side are top on goal difference after a 5-1 thrashing of Mile Oak which saw Scott McDonald bag a hat-trick and Andy Atkin score twice. Neil Roberts hit the lone reply.

French said: "It is still very early but I would rather see us at the top than at the bottom."

As for the free-scoring front pairing, French added: "I have told them they are making a reputation for themselves and there are times when they will be man-marked. But they will relish that and if people concentrate on them it will allow other players to score."

New player-coach Tobi Hutchinson opened his account for Shinewater with a well-taken first-half effort from Steve Prodger's cross to secure a 1-0 win at home to Oakwood.

Shine boss Dave Shearing said: "Realistically we are the poor relations of the County League. We have no money but what we do have is a great spirit. As long as we stay in senior football, that is all we want to do this season."

Having missed out on promotion by one place last season, Eastbourne Town got off the mark this season with a 2-0 win at Steyning Town thanks to a brace of goals from Gary Brockwell.

Just along the coast from Eastbourne, Seaford have also started well. They fought back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw at Broadbridge Heath and could have taken maximum points.

Goals from Jamie Liddell and Ramin Jarvand put Heath in control by the 65th minute but Allan Ashdown drew Seaford level with a brace of headers and Mark Doherty was denied by a tremendous save late on.

Lancing are flying the flag for the west of the county in the early season shake-up. An injury time header by Tony Miles from Glen Soutar's corner earned them a 2-1 win at Westfield to make it two wins from two.

Matt Kelly, with his first goal for Lancing, had earlier cancelled out Alan Johnson's first half opener.

Leighton Allen marked his Wealden debut with two goals in a 5-0 rout at Oving. It took until the 44th minute before Dan Merry opened the scoring but the goals flowed in the second half with Andy Coleman and Lee Sale also on target.

Wealden assistant boss Allan Lofthouse said: "Once the second goal went in early in the second half they caved in. It was an excellent start and it gives us something to build on."

Saltdean United and East Grinstead shared a 1-1 draw. Chris Arrow bundled home Kevin Wright's free kick to put Wasps ahead on 15 minutes but Brad Dougal levelled in the second half.

Grinstead boss Bob Smith said: "We weren't very good, to be honest. We got off to a good start and took the lead but instead of taking the game by the scruff of the neck we allowed them to get back into it."

A late winner from Darren Fryer earned Crawley Down a 1-0 success at home to Worthing United.

Fryer fired home a corner from Darren Tidey to the delight of joint-boss Shaun Donnelly. He said: "We were very good in the first half and played some excellent football. We didn't play as well in the second but still created a lot more chances than them."

Promoted Pease Pottage were grateful for Danny Kemsley's late strike as they drew 1-1 with Rye and Iden United. Kemsley produced a smart finish in the 83rd minute after being sent clear by Ashley Cook.

Neil Winton put Rye ahead in the 39th minute but Wayne Henley missed a golden chance for a second moments later and Pottage rallied in the second half.

After Kemsley levelled, Rye could still have won it but Neil Gledhill saved superbly from Michael O'Callaghan.