Hastings Town got their season back on track last night as they took the derby honours in a 1-0 win over visitors Langney Sports in the Dr Martens League Eastern Division.

Tony Burt's headed goal from Terry White's free kick on 72 minutes was a rare highlight in a drab encounter.

Hastings deserved the three points on balance as they created the larger number of openings and showed the greater ambition.

Tony Kessell, the Hastings keeper, only arrived ten minutes before kick off but he could almost have turned up at half time such was the lack of threat posed by the Langney strikers.

At the other end the Langney keeper, Dean Lightwood, making his first league appearance since playing in the corresponding fixture at Priory Lane on August Bank Holiday, was also hardly troubled.

Dead ball specialist White did bring out the best in Lightwood on 38 minutes, however, when his 40 yard free kick had to be tipped over the bar.

White looked Hastings most dangerous weapon. Seconds after his long range effort White sent a dipping half volley narrowly over.

The second half had looked destined to remain goalless until White whipped in free kick and Burt's diving header beat the despairing dive of Lightwood from six yards.

Hastings manager George Wakeling said "We needed that win.

"I was pleased with the effort from my players but with the greatest of respect to Langney, who worked their socks off, I think we can do better than that."

He added: "Last Saturday's defeat against Corby was a big disappointment. But we've come back from that and we are capable of going on a run now."

Langney manager Garry Wilson said "It was two sides who cancelled each other out. It was a bit of a nothing game but there is not a great gulf between the two sides."

Hastings Town 1, Cambridge City 2 Hastings Town: Kessel; Ball, Osborne, Playford, Myall, Burt, White, Tuppenney, Jones, Simmonds, Yates. Subs: Ferguson, Honey, and Eldridge Langney Sports: Lightwood; Baker, Willard, Barham, Austin, Godden, Colbran, Pearce, Crabb, Snelgrove, Allen. Subs: Isaac, Reed, Stevens.

Referee: Mr. John Wills.

A brave display by St Leonards in the A21 Derby sadly counted for little as a scrambled late goal by Dave Arter earned Tonbridge Angels a 1-0 victory last night.

Tonbridge created several chances in the first half but poor finishing by Wade Falana in particular left Graham Bannatyne's goal in tact.

Saints' Peter Baker saw a stunning 30 yard free-kick come back off the bar while Carleton Chatelier headed wide.

Veteran striker Arter came on with 23 minutes to go and just three minutes later he followed up after Bannatyne saved Roy Godden's shot and the ball somehow ricocheted into the net.