Steve Harper grabbed a hat-trick as Burgess Hill roared back to the top of division one.

Harper's treble helped Hillians come from behind to win 3-2 at Littlehampton.

Assistant-manager Danny Bloor said: "We had five first choice players missing, so it was a very pleasing result.

"Steve is scoring goals for fun at the moment. He is a young lad who is also missing plenty as well. He needs to keep his feet on the ground and learn from the experienced players."

The Marigolds led through Steve Davies but the game turned following the introduction of substitute Phil Churchill, making his debut after signing from Horsham YMCA.

Harper's hat-trick took his tally to nine for the season and Davies scored a second late on for the home side.

Peter Baker scored a hat-trick for Sidley United but they squandered a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at Chichester.

All the goals came in the second half with two from Baker putting Sidley 2-0 up by the 67th minute. Paul Thomas pulled one back and John Olivere equalised with a volley. Baker restored Sidley's lead only for Chris Rustell to make it 3-3 and Jamie Laidlaw went close to snatching a winner for the hosts.

Chi boss Adie Girdler said: "We showed a lot of character. It is a good yardstick as they were champions last year. It shows we have nothing to be scared of."

Hailsham Town ended a run of four successive defeats as goals from Steve Graham and Martin Richardson secured a 2-0 success at Whitehawk.

Sixteen-year-old Graham netted a fabulous goal on his debut while new signing David Read, from Eastbourne Borough, impressed in midfield.

Manager Mark Leaney said: "We have had a bad run but we were at the races for this one. We battled much harder and played some good football."

Peacehaven won 4-1 at Hassocks with all the goals coming in the first half. Leighton Allen netted twice with Tommy Pattenden and Jon Lockhart also on target. Jamie Graham netted for the hosts.

Manager Peter Edwards said: "That is best we have played this season. Our finishing was good. All four goals were well worked and well taken."

Sidlesham gained their first win of the season as goals from Dave Barnes (2) and Martin Durrant secured a 3-1 win against rock bottom Saltdean United. Ian Costello got the lone reply.

Sidlesham manager Richard Towers said: "We dominated for long periods and should have scored more but I am happy with a 3-1 win."

The Hutchinson brothers were on target as Eastbourne United grabbed a 4-2 extra-time win at neighbours Shinewater in the John O'Hara Cup.

Tobi hit four for United, including a penalty, and brother Ben scored Shinewater's first equaliser.

A near-post finish by Ian Gower from a corner forced the tie into extra-time before United settled it, with Tobi Hutchinson's fourth, the pick of their strikes following a sweeping move.

Another derby saw Selsey beat Oving 1-0 thanks to a goal from new signing Lee Stevens.

Boss Danny Hinshelwood said: "We played Oving in a pre-season friendly and beat them 6-0 but they were always going to be more up for this cup game. I was pleased to have kept a clean sheet and on another day we might have had five or six."

Lee Sale's superb 95th-minute strike set up Wealden for a fine 5-2 extra-time success at Arundel.

Boss Tom Parker said: "It was our goal of the season. He chested the ball down and lobbed the goalkeeper from 35 yards."

Gareth Batty and Paul Rider put hard-working Wealden 2-1 up after conceding an early own goal. Bryn Hauxwell forced extra-time but Sale's gem was followed by strikes from Mark Sayers and Craig Brown.

Parker said: "Arundel knocked the ball around nicely but we stopped them playing."

Pagham beat East Grinstead 2-0 with goals from Steve Poulton and Alec Masson.

The home side were missing seven players and boss Richie Reynolds was pleased with the win. He said: "It was quite comfortable. We hit the post and the crossbar a few times."