Whitehawk have been warned they cannot afford any slip-ups as one of the tightest County League title races for years reaches a climax.

Hawks moved seven points clear at the top of division one after beating East Preston 3-0 on Wednesday.

But second-placed Eastbourne Town have a game in hand and also entertain the leaders at the Saffrons on Wednesday April 25.

Town boss Ady Colwell believes the clash between the top two could go a long way towards deciding the destination of the title.

The County League has been won by a margin of 15 points for the last two seasons and by at least 14 in five of the last seven campaigns.

Colwell is hoping it will be a lot tighter this year and has vowed to push Hawks all the way to the last game.

Town have eight games remaining, starting with the visit of bottom side Littlehampton tomorrow, while Hawks begin their remaining seven matches by entertaining Eastbourne United at East Brighton Park.

Colwell said: "It has been our intention all year to push Whitehawk to the wire. Although they are pulling away a little will we want to make it as hard as we can for them.

"We have said all along if we can stay in touch with them we can then look at that game on April 25.

"Whitehawk have looked strong during the course of the year, borne out by the fact they have lost only one game.

"But we want to make it a fight to the end, make it interesting and exciting."

The County League has come in for criticism in recent years. A series of runaway title wins in the Nineties did not help interest levels and the restructuring at the top end of the non-league game has further marginalised its status.

But Colwell insists some criticism is unfair and he wants the top two to crank up the excitement in the closing weeks.

He said: "There are always a lot of people saying negative things about the County League but I think the league is under-rated. There is a lot more quality than people give it credit for.

"There are some really good teams, some really good players and I hope we can make this game on April 25 a showpiece for the league, regardless of our position then.

"We feel even though Whitehawk have ran away from us at the moment, we want to beat them even if it only for our own pride."

Colwell's squad will be tested to the limit this weekend with up to five players out.

Chris Dicker is on holiday, Carl Harris injured and Reece Head working, while Mark Goodwin and Steve Dallaway are facing late fitness tests.

On the plus front, Luke Denton is back from suspension.

Away form could be crucial. After tomorrow, Town have six out of seven away from home while Hawks will be on their travels in four out of six matches.

After surviving three games in five days with no injury scares, Whitehawk manager Ian Chapman is looking forward to tomorrow's clash but is not even thinking about the match against Town.

He said: "It is just one game at a time for us. We have a game against Eastbourne United on Saturday and that's all I will say."

Defender Andy Beech has completed a two-match suspension.