WORTHING are through to the quarter-finals of the Hockey Association Trophy after they produced a sensational comeback to tame Lions on Sunday.

The visitors trailed 3-0 at half-time to the west Londoners but roared back with three goals in a ten minute spell at the start of the second period from Alex Ballamy, Mark Duncan and John Massie.

Lions regained the lead but Duncan's second made it 4-4 with seven minutes remaining and Simon Holloway grabbed the winner three minutes from time.

Ballamy said: "It was a fantastic performance considering we were 3-0 down and had two of our regular players missing. They were a very skillful side but we always thought we could come through."

Worthing will be at home to West Bridgeford in the next round.

LEWES and East Grinstead are almost certain to be in opposition next season in the first division of the National League.

Grinstead's slim hopes of avoiding relegation from the premier division suffered a double blow with two defeats at the weekend while Lewes manager Peter Boyse admitted that his side will probably have to settle for third place in division one despite an excellent 3-1 win over Barford Tigers.

The bottom two in the premier definitely go down when the leagues are re-organised and Grinstead are five points adrift of third-bottom Hounslow with games running out.

On Saturday they lost 5-4 at Old Loughtonians but will reflect on an incident in the second half as the turning point. Richard Gibson's deflected shot appeared to have put them 4-1 up but the umpires ruled that Gibson had made no contact with the ball and disallowed the goal.

Loughts hit back and a hat-trick in the space of four minutes from Canadian Scott Smith floored the visitors. Ed Cabay (2), Gibson and Julian Mills were Grinstead's scorers.

Southgate scored two second half goals to settle a dreary encounter on Sunday and only some good saves by David Luckes prevented a bigger defeat for Grinstead. The home side also missed a second half penalty when Todd Williams' effort cleared the bar.

Lewes produced one of their most disciplined performances of the season against Barford but top two Surbiton and Doncaster, the only sides to have beaten Lewes in the league, also won.

Boyse said: "Third place is the most realistic aim for us. I can't see either of the top two dropping many more points, but it will still be a great achievement for us to come third."

Jeremy Boyse scored from a short corner to give Lewes the lead but the home side had to soak up a period of pressure either side of the interval before late goals from Simon Owen and Will Champness secured victory.

CHICHESTER improved their prospects of playing in the top division of the Southern Premier next season with a 3-1 win at Herne Bay.

Chi took their time getting use to a bumpy pitch and blustery wind and fell behind before Neil Pendle equalised from Andy Richards' cross.

The visitors took control in the second half and goals from Andy Savory and Brian Lock earned them victory.

Pendle reckons they need to win two of their last three games to make sure of finishing in the top 12.

THE SCRAMBLE for places in the Regional League's new top division next season is hotting up.

Of the Sussex teams only third-placed Horsham can relax but four others are still battling to make sure they finish in the top 12.

Brighton lie 14th but they improved their chances by coming from 2-0 down to beat Worthing whose goals came from Simon Rylett and Alex Ballamy. Richard Baker scored twice, including a penalty flick, with Ben Butlin, who created three of the goals, and Carlo Missirian also scoring for an impressive Brighton side.

Like Worthing, Mid Sussex still need four points from three remaining games to make sure after they went down 3-2 to BBHC.

Mids led through Terry Higgs but then fell 3-1 behind before a late rally. Ian Brown pulled a goal back and they had two efforts disallowed in the last five minutes.

Middleton and Bognor, who visit Mid Sussex on Saturday, are still in the hunt after thrashing Old Williamsonians 5-1 thanks to goals from Nick Harvey (2), Simon Morgan, Mark Humphries and Mark Pacey.

Pacey said: "I think if we win two more we will get in, we haven't got a good record against Mid Sussex and it would be nice to change that on Saturday. We also play them in the Sussex Cup on Sunday and I know which game I'd rather win."

Horsham slipped up 3-1 at Old Bordenians and could have no complaints after a poor performance. Dominic Cohen got their consolation.

South Saxons picked up only their second point of the season in a 1-1 draw with Burnt Ash while skipper James McKay scored his first of the campaign but Eastbourne still went down 4-1 at Ashford.

CRAWLEY need one more win to make sure of the Sussex League title after thrashing Penguin 6-1 thanks to goals from Steve Farley (2), Garry Hardwick (2), Carl Wright and Greg Parker's 30th of the season. Dave Matthews replied.

Graham West's hat-trick helped Southwick to a 6-0 win over Crowborough while Micky Buckingham, Darren Cubitt and Mark Cranley were Newhaven's marksmen in the 3-2 victory at Sussex University.

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