Worthing boss Donnelly was last night assured his job was safe, then saw his side grab a precious away win.

Gavin Geddes's superb 49th minute finish made it a night of relief all round for Donnelly, whose men won 1-0 at division one rivals Slough to end a run of four successive defeats.

But the Worthing boss may still have to release players as belts are tightened following Saturday's costly FA Cup exit at Thame.

Donnelly was widely expected to face the sack at a forthcoming board meeting with former Rebel Jimmy Quinn tipped as his successor.

Chairman Beau Reynolds insisted last night: "There has never been any doubt at any board meeting as to Sammy's position as manager and I am furious that these rumours have been spread.

"But there is no doubt that we will have to cut our cloth after the FA Cup defeat. Any other club would do the same."

Donnelly had not spoken publicly of fears for his future though he did concede last nights fixture was "a very big one for the club".

He said: "This is a relief for everyone. I have not felt under pressure but I found the rumours distasteful. I consider it an honour to be manager of Worthing and if someone wants my job they will have to fight me all the way for it.

"We've shown tremendous character tonight and I'm pleased for the players and the fans more than anyone else."

Donnelly saw his side withstand some lively attacking from a Slough outfit stung by criticism of their FA Cup showing at Lewes on Saturday.

James Wastell made a crucial early block from Junior Haynes, then topped that with fabulous fingertip stops from Paul Coombes and Steve Daly in the second period.

Worthing's goal was a beauty. Stuart Tuck was involved, Gavin Jones slid the ball through and Albion fan Geddes got away from former Albion defender Keith McPherson to lift his shot over the goalkeeper's dive.

The goalscorer admitted: "I can see Slough being in or near the top three so that's a tremendous result for us."

Bognor returned to the top of division one with an emphatic 3-1 victory over Yeading.

Bognor took the lead in the tenth minute when a Charlie Balfe ball was headed down at the far post by Kevin Murphy and David Wright slotted home.

The visitors levelled within a minute as Matt Edwards scored.

Bognor regained the lead in the 27th minute when Richard Hudson's pass picked out Simon Funnell, who set up Matt Russell to drive in a low shot.

Jay Pickering sealed the points in the 68th minute when he rose unchallenged to head home a Jamie Howell corner.

Manager Jack Pearce said: "I'm pleased for our supporters. Too often over the last couple of seasons we've done well away from home but not so at home. There were some encouraging signs from the game but we must learn to finish teams off."

Lewes made a dream start in their 3-2 home victory over Wembley by taking the lead in the third minute.

A dipping shot from Chris Dicker was tipped away by Wembley keeper Lee Clark but from the resulting corner Marc Cable headed the ball home.

The lead was doubled on 20 minutes by Sam Francis who finished off a low cross from Peter Brackley.

Three minutes later Mark McGinty reduced the deficit and six minutes into the second half McGinty scored his second.

Lewes stole the victory on 80 through Stuart Hack.