Brighton produced a clinical display of finishing to outline their championship credentials.

Paul Watson and Craig Carolan both scored hat-tricks as Horsham were swept aside 7-2 in the Kent/Sussex Regional League.

Player-coach Carolan's treble took his tally to 30 for the season in 12 league games, while Watson now has 17.

Victory also stretched Brighton's lead at the top to nine points as second placed Blackheath conceded three late goals to lose 4-3 to Maidstone.

Brighton skipper Carlo Missirian said: "The finishing is the difference. Although he didn't score himself, Richard Cooke had a goal disallowed and made a couple of goals for the others.

"We have three or four guys who are consistently scoring. That is the difference to last year. We are not relying on one person."

Watson gave Brighton the lead from a short corner before Dom Cohen levelled for the visitors. Horsham would have been good value for a 1-1 half-time scoreline but two goals in quick succession just before the break put Brighton in control.

Carolan opened his account from a short corner and then Dave Delea netted from open play. Carolan and Watson added another two apiece in the second-half with Simon Jones hitting a second consolation for Horsham with his first goal for the club.

While he was delighted with seven goals, Missirian was quick to stress his side had to work for the points.

He said: "Although it was 7-2 we really admired the way Horsham played and their attitude. The scoreline didn't reflect how they played.

"Our defence played their part, too. Pete Ashdown, in goal, made three outstanding stops.

"Blackheath losing to Maidstone was a bonus for us. Tunbridge Wells play Blackheath next week but we need to stay focussed and try to get three points ourselves against Mid Sussex on Saturday."

Mid Sussex warmed up for their encounter with the leaders with a convincing 4-1 win away to Gillingham Anchorians.

Despite missing a couple of key players, Mids went in front before half-time when Mike Dovey finished from close range.

After the break, Andy Green scored from the penalty spot after Steve Newton was upended in the D, then Steve Booth scored his first goal for the 1st XI after a quick counter-attack. Simon Hobden wrapped up victory with a fine strike from the top of the D.

Worthing secured a 0-0 draw at Folkestone despite missing captain David Edmondson through illness.

NEW Crawley skipper Jamie Westwood suffered a losing start as his side went down 3-2 at home to Sussex rivals South Saxons in Kent/Sussex division one.

Westwood was appointed skipper during the winter break following the departure of Terry Higgs to Oxted.

As well as top-scorer Higgs, two other players have also left which means Westwood and vice-captain Gary Thornton have a tough task ahead.

All seemed to be going well when goals from Steve Main and Steve Innes put Crawley 2-0 ahead inside 24 minutes.

But Saxons pulled a goal back before the interval, then levelled after the break before grabbing a winner four minutes from time. Their scorers were Danny Burnett, Nick Phillips and John Morgan.

Westwood said: "With Kris Rai dropping out the night before the game and with three players leaving over Christmas we have had some major changes to the side but the players did really well.

"I think we went so hard at the opposition in the first-half that we ran out of steam in the second and let Saxons back into the game. My aim now is to ensure we get enough points to stay up in this league so Gary and I can begin rebuilding for next year."

Crowborough produced a tremendous display to hold leaders BBHC to a goalless draw.

It could have been better for Phil Newington's side because Ian Brown had what looked a perfectly good goal disallowed in the first half.

Newington said: "Although they shaded possession, we had the best of the chances. Matt Ahmed had a couple that went just wide.

"They hardly created anything until right at the death when they had a four-on-one situation but we threw bodies and sticks in the way and kept it out."

Eastbourne suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to Old Bordenians. Dan Hill hit the consolation.