Mark Tulley's Park View side closed the gap on leaders Top House with a narrow 2-1 victory in their Sunday League Intermediate Division match against AFC Victoria.

While Top House were struggling at Hangleton, View seized their chance at Preston Park to pick up three precious points.

A vocal crowd of 25 watched as the wingers prospered during the opening exchanges and Victoria's Alex Hadfield played in Malcolm Franks, who hit the bar with a looping cross-shot.

A minute later Park View playmaker Karim Djellasi had keeper Craig King scrambling to his right as his deflected shot crept past the post.

View took the lead on ten minutes through Jon Ashworth's measured 25-yard shot that sailed into the top corner giving the keeper no chance.

The home team increased the pressure and striker Phil Lewis created several chances for his team-mates.

With half-time approaching, Victoria began to haul themselves back into the game. Two minutes before the break some tidy passing by Khalil Wicks and Adie Maglennon led to a Maglennon shot that was blocked well by View keeper Russell Lambert.

Victoria continued to dominate in the early part of the second half and it was only View's Danny Bracy who kept Victoria's lively strikers at bay with his no-nonsense defending.

The visitors' persistence paid off on the hour with a deserved equaliser from Franks. His turn and shot from the edge of the box was too good for Lambert.

Eight minutes later though, View were back in front. A short corner on the right to Lewis gave him time to send in a hanging cross that Djellasi did well to head in at the far post.

Djellasi nearly grabbed a second on 70 minutes as his 35-yard drive was parried by King.

A minute later Victoria thought they had pulled level. Good work on the left by Franks gave him space to centre for Khalil to finish from close range but it was ruled out for offside, much to the dismay of the away fans.

The last 20 minutes of the game belonged to the visitors. The best chance came in the final minute, but Maglennon missed from 12 yards.

Park View: Russell Lambert 7, Arron Clark 6, Danny Bracey 8, Craig Mason 6, Jon Ashworth 7, Dan Johnston 6, Joe Johnston 6, Karim Djellasi 8, Ryan Mason 8, Phil Lewis 7, Dexter Joseph 6.

AFC Victoria: Craig King 7, Ian Farras 7, Dan Carton 6, Dave Jump 6, Dave Jenkins 7, Trevor Woodley 7, Tim Kefford 7, Kahlil Wicks 8, Malcolm Franks 8, Alex Hadfield 6, Adie Maglennon 6.

Man-of-the-match: Kharim Djellasi (Park View) - never stopped working in attack and defence and scored the winner.

Referee: Phil Davies, Littlehampton (6/10)