Gavin Geddes produced another finishing masterclass as Horsham got their tactics absolutely right at Nyewood Lane last night.

John Maggs' men soaked up their hosts' intricate approach play, took their chances expertly and clinched an ultimately comfortable derby win in the division one south promotion race.

Victory takes Horsham into fourth place, leapfrogging a Bognor side who have serious defensive problems to solve if they are to challenge for premier division football.

Rocks had plenty of possession but, until a late flurry of pressure, created next to nothing as their crossing badly let them down.

By contrast, Horsham looked dangerous every time they went forward.

Gary Charman headed over and Dave Flemming sent a cross swirling against the inside of the far post before Geddes headed the 41st minute opener from a deep Andy Salako cross.

Bognor's debut goalkeeper Graham Bannatyne had a nightmare opening to the second half. He let a Charman drive slither under his body and just wide, then failed to clear Geddes' deflected cross, allowing Keith Mtambara to scramble home his first Horsham goal.

The hosts, who thought they should have had a first half penalty for John Kirby's trip on Richard Hudson, were thrown a lifeline on 69 minutes by a charitable spot kick award as Salako challenged Matt Russell.

Kevin Murphy fired home the penalty but Horsham held their lead confidently and clinched the points ten minutes from time, Geddes firing home his 17th league goal of the season after Bannatyne had parried a fierce Lee Butcher drive.

Horsham boss Maggs said: "I brought Gavin here because he is a 30 goal man and he is well on course for that.

"His finishing was the difference between the sides. They had the ball more than us but we were the ones who looked like penetrating."

Bognor: Bannatyne; Hall, Rowland, Stevens (for Wyatt, 82), Tucker, Murphy (for M. Rutherford, 85), Russell, M. Birmingham, Hudson, Howell, G. Rutherford (for Leigh, 62). Unused subs: Birmingham, Broadbent.

Horsham: Chatfield; Salako, Bird, French, Kirby, Grant, Butcher, Castrechino (for Mtambara, 39), Geddes, Flemming, Charman. Unused subs: Ottley, Collins, Sebuliba.

Bookings: Charman, Mtambara.

Referee: Mr G. A. Cork.

Attendance: 255.

Man-of-the-Match: Gavin Geddes - Finishing proved decisive.