New Saltdean boss Mick Ford enjoyed a superb debut win, then joked: "This is the right time to resign."

Lowly Tigers fielded seven new players as they grabbed a shock 2-1 success at Pagham.

It was their first win of the season, lifting them off the foot of the County League table.

Ford said: "We pressed them for the full 90 minutes and gave them no space. That's the way I like to play.

"There was no man-of-the-match. The boys all worked really hard."

Former Tooting man Shane Franklin grabbed a debut goal and Brad Dougal outpaced his marker to open up a 2-0 interval lead.

Steve Poutlon replied from the spot but Danny Garcia, another new boy in goal, helped keep Tigers in front.

Southwick earned a surprise 0-0 home draw with second-placed Three Bridges and boss Bob Hitchcock said: "This will lift the club."

Chris Shaapvled and Jamie Ash had chances to win it for Wickers while new rightback Terry Howarth impressed after being snapped up from Sunday football.

At the other end of the table Burgess Hill picked up a 2-0 win at Wick with Steve Harper scoring a goal in each half.

Hailsham boss Mark Leaney was delighted after his side ended their home hoodoo with a 4-1 triumph over Chichester City United.

Leaney said: "That was our first league win at home since August so we really needed it."

Wes Tate (2), Chris Pearce and 16-year-old striker Steve Graham grabbed the goals for Hailsham at the Beaconsfield as the hosts stormed into a 3-0 lead by the break. Jamie Laidlaw replied for Chichester.

Arundel manager Mick Rowland was also celebrating as Hassocks slipped to a 2-1 defeat after holding a half-time advantage. The Robins are now bottom of the table.

Rowland said: "Winning is becoming quite a habit with us. We were poor in the first half and didn't seem to be able to pass the ball but we got at them after the break."

Micky Turner put the Robins ahead with a header but Sam Wincell levelled before Miles Scerri supplied the cross from which Jason Wimbleton scored a cracking winner Simon Rowland was the star of Whitehawk's 4-2 home win over Sidlesham with a hat-trick.

The recent signing from Saltdean opened his Hawks account in his fourth start and boss Ian Chapman said: "I'm delighted for him. He's big and strong and they were all good finishes from the edge of the box."

Paul Stephenson added a tap-on as Hawks went four-up by the break.

Littlehampton manager Andy Taylor threw in the youngsters at The Caburn against Ringmer and they did him proud.

Sixteen-year-old substitute Scott Tipper grabbed an injury time winner from close range after Lee Barnard's shot was pushed out by the keeper.

Steve Davies had given the Marigolds the lead although Tony Holden had levelled for Ringmer at the start of the second half.

Taylor said: "I had seven players under 19 in the side and they produced a very professional performance. We have some good youngsters coming through, so we have thrown them in and they are doing well."

Peacehaven boss Peter Edwards was disappointed with the performance but happy with the three points as they beat a Redhill side reduced to ten men 2-0 with goals from Leighton Allen and Simon Jones.

Edwards said: "We could have scored two or three in the first 15 minutes but after that we didn't play well and Redhill took the game to us."

Andrew Walsh was sent off in the closing minutes for foul and abusive language to make it an unhappy afternoon for Redhill with Jones adding Peacehaven's second after his dismissal.