Leaders Hastings now face a strong challenge from Three Bridges and Brighton and Hove in the battle for the Shepherd Neame Sussex Premier League title.

Only third placed Brighton and Hove and bottom club Haywards Heath won their games on Saturday. For Heath, it was their first win of the season.

Hastings enjoyed the better of their draw at Horsham after they had rattled up 253-5 declared, of which Brad Smith made 60, Andy Cornford 56 and James Chaplin 51. Off-spinner Chris Nash was the pick of the bowlers with 2-40.

In Horsham's reply of 211-8, Nash made 68, Luke Marshall 44 and Mark Sanders 44. Chaplin was the most successful of the Hastings bowlers with 4-75.

St James's Montefiore gave Brighton and Hove a few worries at the Nevill Ground in Hove before the home side won by five wickets with four balls to spare.

Mark Johnson, with 62 not out, and Tony McAllister, who made 35 not out, added 90 in an unbroken stand for the eighth wicket to take St James to 221-7 declared. Earlier, Ed Hart had made 42 while Patrick Spencer did his best with the ball for Brighton with figures of 4-71.

Brighton started slowly in their run chase but Ray Beiber (32), Andy Perry (45) and Patrick Spencer (37) provided a platform before Rob Wakeford played the innings of the day with 59. He and Stephen Ades, who hit 29 not out, ensured the fiveicket win.

Three Bridges failed to win for the second week running against lowly opponents when they were held to a draw at Chichester.

The start was delayed by a damp pitch and a 100-over game was played with Bridges making 212-5 declared, of which skipper Danny Alderman hit 95 and Jibran Khan 41.

The home side then reached 196-6 with young Aussie Kim Wulff top scoring with 51 and Adam Sharp making 36 not out.

Worthing's game at Steyning also ended in stalemate. Having been put in, the visitors declared at 170-7 with 46 not out from skipper John Kaye and 42 in a rare appearance for David Renham. Andy Ridley returned the best bowling figures with 3-27.

Jamie Carpenter, with 65 not out, prevented the Steyning innings crumbling completely. They reached just 137-8 as Danny Barton took 5-59.

The innings of the day and the only century came from Haywards Heath's 19-year-old Aussie Jason Krezja away to Eastbourne.

Krezja cracked 127 from 143 balls including 12 fours and two sixes to take his side to 181 all out. The next highest score was ten.

Eastbourne then fell to 177 all out to lose by six runs with 11 balls to spare despite 38 from both John Purdey and Toby Eyre. Wickets tumbled to Paul Edmunds (3-24), Paul Havell (3-32) and Krezja (3-42).

Just 15 points separate the top three clubs in division two.

Stirlands have moved above Cuckfield and East Grinstead into pole position after beating Littlehampton. Previous leaders East Grinstead drew at home to Cuckfield.

Barry Meaney led the way for Stirlands as he hit 75 and was last out in a total of 210-7 declared against Littlehampton. Rick Heberlein (3-20) was the pick of the visiting bowlers.

The visitors were then dismissed for 155 as David Briance claimed 4-28. Anthony Jones top-scored with 47.

The scores finished level at East Grinstead as the home side had two wickets standing chasing a Cuckfield score of 195-9.

Visiting skipper Chris Mole led the way with 52 while Craig Fowle grabbed 4-55 for Grinstead.

In reply, Zimbawean opener Donald Campbell top-scored with 63 as the home side finished on 195-8. Off-spinner Jon Lamley picked up 4-61.

Bexhill, on the fringe of the promotion race, held on for a draw in their local derby at Sidley after dismissing their hosts for 205. In that total, Jonathan Haffenden top-scored with a knock of 39, while Sam Roberts took 4-69 and Rakesh Patel 3-47.

In Bexhill's reply of 155-8, Roberts made 39 and John Holland 28 as Danny Reed took 3-35 for the home side.

Lewes Priory were again troubled by a slow over rate at Roffey and were penalised three points despite having far the better of a drawn game.

In a Lewes score of 205-9 declared, having been put in, Kashif Ibrahim made 64 and international hockey goalkeeper David Luckes scored 35 as Imran Khan took 3-50 and David Harris 4-48.

Roffey then reached 172-9 at stumps with Ivan Lawrence making 52 as Kashif Ibrahim claimed 6-46.

Priory entertain leaders Stirlands at the Stanley Turner Ground this weekend.