Whitehawk boss Ian Chapman last night admitted that County League title rivals Eastbourne Town are now in the driving seat following a goalless draw at The Saffrons last night.
Hawks maintained their two-point cushion at the top but Town will be crowned champions if they win their remaining four fixtures.
Chapman's side have just three games left and the manager said: "A point suited them tonight because it puts them in the driving seat but we've still got nine points to play for and we'll do our best to win all of them.
"It was a very tense game although we upped our performance in the second half and could have got something out of it."
Town manager Ady Colewill said: "Both sides were scared to lose. I'm not saying we're going to win the title from here. There's still quite a way to go."
With so much at stake, both teams looked edgy in a scrappy opening 45 minutes in which few attempts on goal were made.
The closest Hawks came was on 15 minutes when defender Andy Beech had a close-range drive blocked after goalkeeper Greg Nessling had struggled to clear a corner from Gareth Green.
It took Town 34 minutes to muster a shot on goal and when it came, Greg Manton was woefully wide.
Six minutes later, the home bench thought Liam Baitup had headed their side in front from a Luke Denton cross but the ball sailed over.
Hawks had built a reputation on a passing game but they seemed unable to get a decent flow at all, although if any side was going to win, it was them.
Green twice went close, once following a neat one-two with Tommy Pattenden and then, in the final minute, his curling free kick forced Nessling to stretch and tip away.
Ryan McBride headed wide and Craig Bunch had a penalty appeal turned down.
Town created nothing after the interval and must have been grateful that their opponents did not find the extra gear which would have gained them three points.
Eastbourne Town: Nessling; Piercy (Harris 80), Davidson, Denton, Head, Featherstone, Simmonds, Ducille, Baitup, Manton, Holman (Dicker 78). Subs unused: Brownall, Milroy.
Whitehawk: Standen; Bird, Hill, Buss, Beech, Phillips, Green, Bunch (Martin 79), McBride, Garrod, Pattenden (Allen 79). Subs unused: Mills, Cooper, Rowland.
Man-of-the-match: Danny Bird (Whitehawk) Attendance: 509.
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