Sussex could have a promotion to celebrate in London Three South East as Lewes and Chichester chase top spot.

Lewes did everyone a favour by winning 14-8 at home to leaders Dartfordians, cutting the Kent side's advantage from three points to just one. Chichester were among the sides to benefit as they snatched a thrilling 20-17 win at Sevenoaks.

Lewes had vowed to try and run dour Dartfordians ragged at the Stanley Turner Ground and skipper Dave Hemsley felt they did just that.

He said: "We played the way we wanted to play and produced a lot of good rugby but a few too many handling errors let us down."

Ben Sole dived over after a driving maul and Sean Taylor ensured victory with a superb winger's finish, cutting in past two men before completing a 30-yard run to the line. Neil Rumble kicked both conversions before Darts scored a late try.

Chichester coach Paul Colley felt his men were well worth success at Sevenoaks but they left it late.

Paul Butt touched down at the posts with five minutes to go after new outside half Sam Langmead, on as replacement, had made a break.

Jack Smallman's conversion rounded things off.

Declan Hutchings had earlier grabbed a pushover try to go with Nick Stanton's two early penalties but Sevenoaks scored from a charge down and an interception to forge a 17-13 lead.

Colley said: "We were much the better side but it was quite tight at the end."