Bognor at last remembered how to win in the League last night and it was enough to send them four points clear.

First half strikes from Simon Funnell and Jamie Howell set up a welcome 2-1 victory over Thame United following four successive draws in the Ryman Division One title race.

Rocks deserved the points after dominating for 85 minutes, although a late own goal set up a nervy finale. And the good news continued when they then heard rival Northwood and Bishop's Stortford had shared a 2-2 draw.

Boss Jack Pearce felt his side were well worth the points, despite their late wobble.

He said: "I thought we played some sparkling stuff in the first 20 minutes but we really needed the third goal. We created four very good chances in the second half and did not take them, then we got really sloppy, they got their one chance and panic set in.

"But I thought we did okay. I'd rather be where we are than the other 21 teams in the League."

Bognor have always played entertaining football but they now boast an attacking cutting edge and supreme confidence and those elements were evident in their eighth minute opener.

Funnell, a key addition to the side this season, was the marksman with a supremely composed finish after Matt Russell had slid the ball through.

Winger Richard Hudson fizzed a couple of efforts in from the right which had goalkeeper Alan Foster struggling, then Michael Birmingham thumped an effort into the keeper's midriff after a flowing build-up and Jamie Howell shot just wide from 20 yards.

The second goal came on 34 minutes and this time there was a touch of controversy. New right back Andy Walker created the danger with a neat one-two with Birmingham followed by a precise pass rolled into Russell, who tumbled under pressure from Martin Brown.

From 50 yards away in the stand Rob Barnard-Smith's penalty verdict looked a touch generous but the referee was only ten yards away with a clear view and had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

James Saulsbury was booked for his protest before Howell calmly stroked the penalty down the middle as Foster dived to his right.

Skipper Birmingham was forced out of the action at half time by a stomach strain and Rocks started the second period less convincingly.

But Hudson is proving a tremendous outlet for them tight to the right touchline and he angled a low drive just wide after a scintillating run before playing a part in the 63rd minute move which should have ended the contest.

Walker was sent clear at the end of a patient passing move. His first effort was well blocked by Foster and his follow-up headed off the line before Russell somehow failed to get a decisive touch.

Bognor were never under real threat until throwing their visitors a lifeline on 88 minutes when Brown's header from a corner was cleared off the line by Howell, only to ricochet off Kevin Murphy and bounce gently into the net.

There were a few nerves evident then, notably when the ball had to be smothered away from Wayne Cort, but a fifth successive draw would have been an injustice.

Bognor: Stoner; Walker, Rowland, Wright, G. Rutherford, Murphy (sub Pickering 89 mins), Russell (sub Wyatt 70 mins), M. Birmingham (sub Balfe 45 mins), Funnell, Howell, Hudson.

Attendance: 250