WES Tate and Wayne Clarke both scored hat-tricks as Crowborough's march towards their first County League title continued with an 8-0 demolition of Chichester.

Harry Smith's side could stretch their advantage to 11 points if they beat Ringmer tomorrow after nearest challengers Whitehawk slipped up again when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Oakwood.

Chris Dicker and Gavin Gordon were also on target for Crows and Smith said: "Some of the football we played was awesome."

East Preston now have their sights on runners-up spot after moving to within six points of Hawks with a game in hand after an understrength side won 3-1 at Rye thanks to Tom Lawley's long-range strike, Jay Head and Chris Georgiou, who was also on target at the other end with a spectacular own goal.

Boss Chris White said: "Conditions weren't great with a strong wind but I felt we controlled the game. We could still sneak into second place which would be a great achievement and that is what we are aiming for."

EP are more or less guaranteed a top-three finish after Arundel slipped up 2-1 at home to Ringmer for whom Miles Scerri scored his 15th of the campaign before Nick Barden won it with a chip from 40 yards.

At the other end of the table those defeats for Chichester and Rye left them firmly entrenched in the bottom three but some of their relegation rivals earned important wins.

Games are running out for bottom of the table Sidley but they have closed to within two points of Rye after Steve Morris and Billy Trickett notched second-half goals in a 2-0 win over Pagham.

Worthing United produced an eye-catching 3-0 win at Hailsham to move clear of trouble.

Gavin Jones, Gavin Geddes and Joe Stokes scored in the first half when Paul Curtis's side effectively harnessed a gale-force wind.

Curtis said: "We could have been 5-0 up at half-time but we had to soak up a lot of pressure in the second half although they didn't really look like breaking us down.: Redhill eased their worries when substitute Marlon Lewis scored the only goal in injury time against Selsey, a defeat which means Danny Hinshelwood's side remain just a point above the bottom three.

Oakwood looked to have pulled off the result of the day when Steve Bidwell put them in front at East Brighton Park, but an own goal three minutes from time earned Whitehawk a point.

Three Bridges strengthened their bid for a top-six finish after Nathan Davis and Markel Greenidge scored in a 2-0 win at Hassocks.

Steve Murfin was Wick's match-winner in the 3-2 home success over Eastbourne United while Lee Taylor, Dean Smith, Rob Boddy and Darren Annis - with his 21st of the season - helped Shoreham to a 4-1 win over ten-man St Francis.