Brighton and Hove City are virtually assured of back-to-back promotions in the Southern Men's League, coming second in their final division three match at Croydon.

Huntingdon won but Brighton's second will almost certainly ensure promotion when the league tables are published.

Dan Brooker was squeezed into third place in both sprint events while Matt Bristow impressed with another fine 1,500m win and Richard Airey, 24, won the 800m.

Brooker finished the afternoon on a winning note as he anchored Brighton and Hove to team victory in the sprint relay where their time of 44.2sec was the fastest recorded by a Sussex team this season.

In division one, Worthing's fine second place at Tooting Bec behind leaders Herne Hill will almost certainly ensure another season in the top division.

After nine successive victories in the high hurdles in league matches, all-rounder Paul Gilding lost his record despite clocking 15.2sec for second place.

Worthing have relied heavily this season on Gilding's versatility and he also took second in the A high jump and third place in the triple jump. He also recorded victories in the B long jump and the shot putt where he set a personal best of 11.11m.

In division two, Hastings were third at Portsmouth, some 30 points clear of fourth-placed Thames Valley who were relegated to division three.

Chichester, in division three, were in danger of relegation but second spot at Abingdon ensured their survival.

James Baker gave his all for the team as he won the 5,000m and steeplechase, while also taking second in the 1,500m.

All England Schools' discus champion Simon Cooke cried off at the last minute with a back injury but Yannick Maciejewski deputised and took second.

Crawley, however, look doomed to division four after their depleted team finished eighth at Bedford.

Gavin Thompson, back from university in the USA, ignored suggestions not to compete and chalked up a runaway victory in the 5,000m in 14min. 45.72sec, a time no other Sussex athlete has approached this season.

The only other Crawley athlete to gain of top three placing in this high standard competition was team manager Mark Sheridan who took third place in the hammer throw with 45.33m.