Horsham edged a 3-2 win over Sussex rivals Crawley in the Kent/Sussex Regional.

Crawley missed two good early chances and were made to pay as Horsham went 2-0 up thanks to a controversial first from Ian Brown and a second by skipper Mark Ansell.

Peter Waller, one of Crawley's five new South Africans, reduced the deficit early in the second half but Horsham restored their advantage through Brown.

Horsham's Richard Lowe then saw a penalty flick saved by Gary Thornton and with eight minutes to go Crawley were back in the game when skipper Terry Higgs fired home. Crawley encamped in the Horsham half but they could not force an equaliser.

Higgs said: "We came here confident that we were going to turn our season around, but when things aren't going for you, you tend to suffer from decisions going against you."

Worthing's poor run continued as they lost 2-1 at home to Old Williamsonians.

They have now taken just one point from the last 27 and skipper Simon Holloway said: "We are going to have a bit of a relegation battle. I don't want to be the captain that took the club up and then took them straight back down again."

Worthing trailed 2-0 at half time but pulled a goal back through Rex Fuller.

Mid Sussex suffered a surprise 3-2 defeat at home to Ashford.

James Goodwin gave Mids the lead after a one-two with Mike Jourdain but Ashford levelled before half time and then went 3-1 ahead. Jourdain reduced the deficit after some good work from Mike Dovey but it was not enough.

In Kent/Sussex division one, Crowborough lost 10-0 away to leaders Maidstone.