Champions Hastings still lead the Shepherd Neame Sussex Cricket League but Brighton & Hove are now second, just 28 points behind with a game in hand.

The match of the day at Crowborough ended in a draw with the home team nine down and well short of the Hastings score of 270-7 declared from 64 overs.

In that total, in-form opener George Campbell hit 83, skipper Jason Finch made 66 and 17-year-old John Snashall 36. For the home side, Richard Jackson took 3-29 and Carl Shankland 2-51.

Jackson was leading scorer for his side in making 48 whilst Naeem Akhtar hit 39 and Tim van Noort grabbed 5-50 with Crowborough hanging on at 186-9 to keep their own slim title hopes just about alive.

Brighton & Hove, cup winners six days earlier, now have their sights firmly on the double after winning by four wickets in a low-scoring game at Bexhill.

Aussie Tom Burberry made top score of 43 and Martin Phillimore 41 as Bexhill were dismissed for a meagre 138 in 52.2 overs, Andy Sartor taking 3-25 and Greg Guilford 3-18.

Sussex youngster Dominic Clapp made 40 and skipper Ray Beiber 31 not out to steer his side home at 139-6 from 54.4 overs. Chris Topp was the pick of the bowlers.

He took 3-35 with his left arm spin.

Three Bridges have moved into fourth place after winning by three wickets at Chichester They faced a target of 229-8, of which former Sussex player John North hit 89 as Danny Alderman took 3-39 and Jon Newell 3-102.

Chris Mole with 47 was then top scorer as Bridges made 230-7 to clinch their fifth League win of the season.

Horsham won for only the third time this season when they enjoyed a two wicket success at Haywards Heath after the home side were dismissed for 208.

In that total Steve Moore made 65 and David Wood 52 as Luke Marshall grabbed four late wickets for just nine runs and David Briance took 3-48.

Of Horsham's 211-8, Marshall completed a good day with 67, veteran Andy Beer made 45 not out and Nick Weekes an aggressive 40, Mike Hogue taking 3-53.