The Bexhill side were two goals up inside five minutes but still managed to go out 6-4 to a useful visiting side.

Saxons' Martin Blogg admitted:" We started like a house on fire, but we didn't really play after that and they were a very good side."

Richard Harvey and skipper Tim Eldridge got the Sussex side off to their perfect start.

But they were 5-2 down by the time Nicky Phillips produced a brilliant individual goal.

Banbury added a sixth and Anthony Mills closed the gap for Saxons before the end.

Things went better for Eldridge and his men in Kent and Sussex division one as they drew 2-2 with Cliftonville. Karl Lewington scored twice.

Rivals

At the top, Brighton beat Bexley Invicta 6-1 to open up a four point gap over rivals Burnt Ash, who were hammered at Old Williamsonians.

Brighton scored three in each half with Dicky Love (2), Carlo Missirian, Luke Shirley, Paul Daniels and Barry-Jack Toohey the men on target.

Hard work behind the scenes is paying off. Missirian said: "We're being well coached and the commitment at training has been excellent."

Two Mark Cranley goals helped Newhaven win 5-3 at Maidstone to retain fifth spot.

Simon Bulteel, Rob Page and Darren Cubitt also struck as the visitors continued their recent improvement.

Eastbourne bounced back from their defeat by South Saxons to beat Deal 2-1 with all three goals coming from open play.

Kevin Williams fired them ahead on ten minutes and Nick Corbett got the winner midway through the second half.

Skipper James Mackay admitted: "We were better than in the previous game but we are still not playing as well as we can."

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