Richard Carter today insisted the future was bright for Brighton and Hove City after the club completed a remarkable turnaround in fortunes.

Victory in their penultimate match of the season at Portsmouth has virtually assured the Withdean outfit promotion to the top flight of the Southern Men's League just four years after hitting rock bottom.

The result kept Brighton third in the division two table and gives them a four-point cushion in the promotion zone going into the final fixture at Bracknell in two weeks' time.

Anything better than last place in that match will be enough to secure a return to division one for the first time since Brighton's alarming tumble down the divisions began in 1998.

Carter, who took over as team manager when Brighton were languishing in division four in 2002, said: "It has been a brilliant team effort and puts us back where we belong.

"A club like Brighton should be competing in division one and it is a huge achievement to get back there when you consider where we were four years ago.

"A lot of the guys are already talking about going into the British League but I think we need to wait a few years. We've got a strong enough team to do well in division one but we've got to take it one step at a time.

"It is exciting times, though, and by 2012 I think we will be in a position to unleash something really special. That is a nice target to set to coincide with the London Olympics."

Dave Ingram gave Brighton the perfect start by clearing a personal best height of 4.25m to win the pole vault and Josh Mouland ensured maximum points in the event by taking the B string - one of his three victories on the day.

Alex Hunt claimed a notable scalp in the 100m as he crossed the line in the same time as Hastings' former Olympian Sean Baldock and was given the win by the judges in 11.5sec.

Baldock also had to settle for second place finishes in the 110m hurdles behind Mouland - and 200m as Hastings came third overall to ease any lingering relegation fears.

Brighton continued to rack up the points with Sam Parson winning the 400m hurdles in his first attempt at the event since breaking his collarbone at the Sussex Championships in May and completed a good day's work by setting a personal best of 48.43m in the javelin.

Andy Noakes, who still holds the club record for the hammer he set in the 80sec, showed he can still perform at the age of 44 by coming second with an effort of 32.64m while Bob Willows, Bryan Brett, Ashley Witcomb and Dave Boyce also chipped in with wins.

Carter said: "I would rate it as the best team performance in the five years I have been in charge. Everyone performed out of their skins and the team spirit was incredible.

"We don't want to be complacent going into the final match because nothing has been decided yet but it would be amazing if we let it slip now."

Worthing and District Harriers are on the verge of pulling off the great escape thanks to a much-improved performance at Ipswich.

Harriers finished second behind the hosts to climb out of the relegation zone for the first time this season and with their final fixture at home should be capable of avoiding the drop.

Craig Baker won the long jump (6.42m) and 110m hurdles (15.8sec) and David Van Dyke took the discus with a throw of 34.69m. David Riley, Tim Jolly and Dan Dunscombe all set personal bests on their way to victories in B string events.