Brighton at last grabbed their first win of the season but coach Bert Merritt admitted: "I won't get carried away yet."

The London Three South East outfit beat neighbours Lewes 21-8 at Waterhall to move out of the bottom two.

It was a huge relief for Merritt, who took over in the summer, and his improving team.

The Kiwi coach said: "It's great to be with a team which at last knows how to win a game.

"We have still got a lot to do. Our fitness over the 80 minutes is not up to the level I would expect but that will come."

Lineout forward Danie Venter made a welcome return and made enough of an impact in the first half to help swing the contest Brighton's way.

Prop Martin McDonagh was powered over after a lineout drive and there were also scores for Julian Hutchens and Rob Ross, all converted by Geraint Jones. No. 8 Simon Peters was outstanding.

Dave Tyrrell kicked a penalty for Lewes and wing Paul Livesey scored a stoppage time try.

East Grinstead's steady climb up the table continued with an impressive 41-7 success at Dartfordians.

Ray Hennessy (2), Paul Goodwin, Colin Blake and brothers Marcus and Mike Ayres scored tries.

With goalkicker Steve O'Reilly out injured, Moore, Hennessy and debut fullback Mike Lewis managed one conversion apiece.

Worthing bounced back to winning form, helped by new winger Paul Todd at Charlton Park.

The Sussex side came through 20-6 to regain top spot, with Todd scoring the first try and having a hand in Paul Cox's score.

Mike Imrie kicked a conversion and penalty before Terry Butler finished a slick backs move to round things off.

Crawley went down 53-5 at Tonbridge Juddian but were encouraged by a more disciplined performance.

Scrum half John Doyle sent Dean Frazier in at the corner for their score.

Bognor stepped up their Four South East promotion push with a 17-9 home win over Guy's Hospital, despite having lock Lee Williams sent-off after 20 minutes for head-butting.

Skipper Karl Flynn had no sympathy. He said: "I don't condone that sort of thing. He has got a long ban coming and he deserves it."

Robert Haste, debut wing Mark Gordon and Jonny Lang scored tries.

Andy Shipp kicked a conversion and Flynn said: "It was a really spirited performance."

Eastbourne were given a tougher time than expected before clinching a 39-12 win at lowly Askeans.

Jamie Bremer collected a try, four conversions and two penalties. Paul Newell, Matt Bremer, Spencer Pullinger and Adrian Norwood also crossed.

Uckfield went down 18-13 at Beccehamians in a game they should have won after elusive young wing Lee Evans scored in each half to seemingly set them on their way.

Nick Ridley's penalty made it 13-3 but two tries in the forwards and a sweetly struck drop goal gave Beccs the points.

Hove lost 15-7 at home to leaders Betteshanger.

Half-time replacement Darryl Elliott scored, with Phil Ward converting, to put them 7-5 up but the visitors kicked a penalty and were then awarded a clinching penalty try.