Whitehawk 1, Arundel 1.

Whitehawk boss Ian Chapman last night told his faltering County League leaders they need to relax.

A blunder by goalkeeper Ross Standen cost Hawks two vital points in their bid to clinch the crown.

Chapman's side are now just two points ahead of Eastbourne Town with five matches to play and face their rivals, who have a game in hand, at The Saffrons next Wednesday.

Chapman said: "We're still right in there and will try to win all our last five games.

"We just have to relax more. We pushed for a winner against Arundel but weren't patient enough. We were too frantic.

"We should have had the game won by the time we gifted their equaliser."

Arundel boss Vic Short said: "I think the title race will go to the wire and I wouldn't like to pick who it will be. It will be a big achievement for whoever it is."

When you have had your lead cut from seven to just one point in the space of a week, nerves need to be calmed - and nothing settles them like a goal, which is what Hawks grabbed after just five minutes.

Craig Bunch belted the rebound home after Ryan McBride, set free by Lee Newman, had his shot blocked.

Four minutes later, Chapman's side could have set the controls to automatic pilot.

McBride, chasing down a big boot from Standen, was one-on-one with Ben O'Connor but aimed his effort directly at the Arundel goalkeeper.

At 1-0 it was always edgy. Arundel showed plenty of pace on the break but provided little threat to the Hawks' goal.

The home side, looking to bounce back from Saturday's defeat against Eastbourne United, remained the more dangerous of the two sides and Bunch narrowly missed converting a Tommy Pattenden cross on 29 minutes.

Hawks struggled to find their passing game. The bobbly pitch could be used as part of the excuse but the tension was the greater reason.

The fussy refereeing of Ryan Ellis did not help the flow of either side and the Hawks bench in particular became increasingly agitated at some of the official's decisions.

Bunch and substitute Ashley Carr appeared to be fouled inside the Arundel box but Mr Ellis waved away home appeals for penalties.

Hawks striker McBride seemed the angriest of the hosts' players when booked for dissent before swiftly being substituted, presumably to avoid a second yellow card.

But Hawks shot themselves in the foot to gift Arundel their equaliser on 71 minutes.

Standen miskicked the ball straight to Lee Barnard who rolled it into an empty net.

Whitehawk: Standen, Bird, Hill, Gunn, Beech, Phillips, Newman, Pattenden (sub Green 68), McBride (sub Carr 78), Buss, Bunch (sub Allen 84). Subs not used: Millis, Martin.

Arundel: O'Connor, Duncan, Hall, Walker, Hack, Barnard, Wimbleton, Clayton, Biggs, Peacock, Mike Huckett (sub Bennett 90). Subs not used: Matt Huckett, A. Goff, Bailey.

Man-of-the-match: Andy Beech (Whitehawk).

Attendance: 86.

Third-placed Crowboorugh won 2-1 at Ringmer thanks to a late Bobby Godfrey strike.

Results, County League division one: Hailsham Town 1 (Barden 88) Three Bridges 1 (Ahearne 5), Hassocks 5 (Amos 31, 48, Robbins 51, Turner 62, Hibbert 72) Redhill 1 (Jones 39), Oakwood 1 (Funnell 85) Shoreham 3 (Callaghan 15, Jones 30, 55), Ringmer 1 (Gedling 71) Crowborough 2 (Bishop 66, Godfrey 82), Selsey 1 (M.Lee 89) Chichester 2 (Brockway 23, Jones 58), Whitehawk 1 (Bunch 5) Arundel 1 (Barnard 65).

Division two: East Grinstead 2 (Gellatly 8, Thorpe 11) Westfield 1 (Pepper 67), Lingfield 1 (Ling 65) Wealden 0, Midhurst and Easebourne 4 (Wills 3, Hamilton 21, 75, own goal 30) Sidlesham 2 (Sneller 1, 39), Steyning Town 1 (Pargeter 83) Lancing 3 (Partridge 13, Howard 45, Bailey 78).