Jason Morley had four attempts from the penalty spot as Eastbourne United ran out 3-0 winners against Lancing.

Referee Geoffrey Hixon awarded three penalties and ordered one of them to be retaken in an amazing Matthew Clark County League division two clash.

Defender Morley converted two out of the four to keep United's promotion challenge on course.

United manager Dave Shearing said: "I have never seen anything like it. With the second one that Jason scored the linesman was flagging for it to be retaken but the referee over-ruled him, so there could have been five penalties.

"Their manager was going berserk but I said to him, 'Tell your players to stop kicking us in the penalty area and the referee will stop giving them'."

The first penalty came on four minutes. Morley fired wide but Mr Hixon spotted an encroachment and the Eastbourne defender scored with his second attempt.

His third attempt came on 55 minutes and this time Morley scored again to make it 3-0. Morley then had a chance for a hat-trick on 80 minutes but Lancing goalkeeper Danny Rapps made a splendid save.

Lancing boss Alf Ford said: "We should have had a penalty as well when their goalkeeper took out John Dutton. I was speechless. Dan Ford gave away two of the penalties but wasn't even booked. If it is a foul in the box, it has to be a yellow card minimum."

David Harris scored Eastbourne's other goal.

Leaders Worthing United maintained top spot after a late goal from player-manager Ian Browne secured a 2-1 win at home to Mile Oak.

Browne, who uses himself as an occasional substitute, popped up in the 88th minute to head home. Earlier, Steve Pickles had headed Worthing level from Rob Weston's cross, cancelling out a Neil Roberts opener.

Browne joked: "It was an inspired substitution! We wanted to beat them because earlier in the season we lost 1-0 there where we should have put ten past them."

Midhurst and Easebourne maintained second spot with a 4-2 win but they were pushed all the way by a much improved Pease Pottage side.

Sixteen-year-old Sean Dummer, son of manager Tim, made an impact up front, creating his side's second goal for Robbie Pearce and also being felled for a penalty which Chris May converted. Lee Andrews and substitute Chris Heighes were Midhurst's other scorers while Dave Thornback and Terry Thornback replied.

Westfield beat Haywards Heath 4-1 with the home side's goals all coming in the first half. Duncan Jones scored twice, including a penalty, with Sam Jamison and Lawrence Brand also on target. Substitute Kenny Petrie replied in the second half.

Broadbridge Heath beat Peacehaven 2-0 with both goals coming in a six-minute spell just before half time. Warren Sweatman headed the first from Paul Gallagher's cross and James Brown got the second after a John Eldridge shot had been parried.

Heath boss Allan Winton said: "The thing that pleased me most was we kept a clean sheet which as a former defender is paramount, especially as we let in eight at Sidley the week before."

Crawley Down and Saltdean shared a goalless draw. Dave Chapman, Adam Burton and Ian Costello all had chances in a first half which Saltdean dominated. The hosts fought back after the break and almost snatched victory when Matthew Lake's shot struck the crossbar.

Crumplin has added to his squad by signing former Three Bridges players Danny Cook and Dave Armstrong.

Mark Dunk wants his Oakwood side to start producing their cup form in the league. Oakwood are currently sixth from bottom in after an indifferent start to the campaign.

They have been in terrific form in the cups, though. They recently hammered division one leaders Chichester 6-1 in the Sussex Senior Cup and on Saturday they cruised to an 8-2 win at Wealden in the Division Two Cup.

Dunk said: "We are a good footballing side and on our day we can beat anyone. We are just inconsistent.

"We are a Jekyll and Hyde team and I don't know which one I will have from game to game."

Ben King, fresh from returning for Australia where he had been following England in the world cup, scored twice against Wealden. Carl Dunk and Gerald Manville also netted two apiece with Steve Best and Phil Marsh completing the tally, while the replies came from Keith Mtambara and Darren Brown.