Brighton were hoping to see scrum half Martin Docherty back in action today.

The talented No.9 injured a shoulder in the hard fought home win over Crawley on November 11.

Geraint Jones and Julian Hutchens have both had outings in his half back role in recent weeks.

Hutchens was given the nod at Askeans today while Docherty was expected to have a game for the second team as he re-built his fitness.

Coach Steve Dunnill said: "Hopefully he will get a run out. He has not trained for six weeks."

Paul Charlton is still out of the area but otherwise Brighton have few worries as they look ahead to a crucial month which features clashes with Worthing and Sidcup.

IMRIE'S IN PAIN Worthing skipper Mike Imrie is still being troubled by a rib injury he suffered at Askeans in early December.

The scrum half was ruled out of the home win over East Grinstead before Christmas and feared he may miss today's clash with Crawley.

Worthing, like Brighton, face a decisive month, with the south coast derby as well as trips to Tunbridge Wells and Cranbrook. Imrie admitted: "We have really got to be switched on."

ICE MEN Haywards Heath kept warm in last Saturday's frost and snow.

They ventured onto the barren wastelands of aptly-named Whitemans Green and endured a fitness session.

Even livewire outside half Jon Graham was struggling.

He said: "It was fitness based with lots of ballwork and no tackling. It killed us."