Lewes will have to wait until Saturday to be crowned kings of Ryman League division two.

But try telling that to the players and fans who staged a full scale title celebration last night.

Fireworks were let off, the players enjoyed a lap of honour and boss Jimmy Quinn was drenched in beer and champagne as his side gave themselves a cushion of three points and 13 goals over rivals Horsham going into the last day of the season.

Quinn, as a proud Scotsman and staunch Rangers fan is not used to title races lasting until this late in the campaign. Nor does he make a habit of celebrations on St George's Day, but he was happy to make an exception last night.

He said: "I told them at half time to go out and do it with a bit of style and score a few goals and that was their reply. It's not over yet but it's very close and I think they deserve it because they have been involved in just about everything and have managed to maintain the league form."

Chertsey did their best to stick to the title-winning theme by running out in Albion-style blue and white stripes. But an admirable taste in shirts and a rickety offside trap were never likely to be enough.

They held out for all of 11 minutes until Joe Clark's clever diagonal through ball allowed John Palmer to cross low for Stuart Hack to tap in.

Junior Kamara twice went close before Chris Dicker marked his 100th Lewes appearance with a cracking goal on 41 minutes.

Former Horsham man Kamara thrashed home the third from a 58th minute corner and Palmer added a superb strike for 4-0.

Even news of Horsham's loan goal at Barton did not dampen things as Lee Newman rounded keeper Seuke and played a one-two off the post before adding the fifth.

Newman and Sam Francis then teed up goals for each other, either side of Mark Lewis's lone reply.

Lewes: Standen; Dicker, McCallum, Venables, Hack, Cable, Palmer, Clark (sub Newman, 63), Kamara (sub Head, 76), Thomsett, Amanuel (sub Francis, 63).

Chertsey: Seuke; Capel, Gordon, Gould, Bere, Robins (sub Powers, 76), Breslin, Read, Pomroy, Godfrey (sub Barratt, 76), Lewis. Unused Sub: Johnson. Yellow card: Breslin (15, foul), Bere (41, foul), Capel (76, foul).

Referee: Mr A. Laver.

Attendance: 310.