John Suter has admitted survival will be a "very tall order" after Horsham YMCA slumped to a 2-1 defeat at home to relegation rivals Corinthian-Casuals.

James Grant put YM in front after the break before an Andy Lutwyche own goal and Byron Brown strike in a three-minute spell condemned them to a defeat which leaves them nine points adrift of division one south safety with eight games remaining.

Suter said: "I can't throw in the towel and we will keep battling and believing that we can escape until it is mathematically impossible. I'm sure Derby are thinking the same in the Premier League but it has become immensely more difficult.

"It was a game we couldn't afford to lose but we did. We have to win four of our remaining games and that is a very tall order."

Eastbourne Town boss Ady Colwell insists 40 points remains the survival target.

Town are nine points clear of a relegation place despite a 3-1 loss at lowly Walton Casuals.

Colwell said: "We missed an opportunity to pull right away which means we still seven more from our remaining nine to ensure we staying up. That means getting 40 points."

Gary Brockwell made it 2-1 after Mark Weston and William Harrison had given the hosts the lead before Nana Badu wrapped is up for Casuals.

Burgess Hill assistant manager Colin Hunwick believes his side might be able to revive their play-off hopes.

A wonder goal from Lloyd Cotton sealed a 1-0 at Leatherhead and stretched Hillians' unbeaten run to five games.

Hillians play strugglers Corinthian Casuals then bottom side Molesey next.

Hunwick said: "Our play-off hopes will only start to be revived if we can get wins in our next two games against teams we should do okay against. We have struggled to do that."

Joint manager Danny Bloor has told his Worthing players not to take their feet off the gas after moving into a play-off place.

The Rebels went fifth in Ryman division one south after beating Chatham 4-1 at Woodside Road.

Jamie Brotherton (two), Ben Andrews and substitute Mark Pulling got the goals to give Worthing their fifth successive win.

Bloor said: "That's five on the trot now and we are into a play-off position. We were 3-0 up at half-time and thoroughly deserved it but the second half wasn't what we required.

"We have got to keep turning up the sort of performance we produced in the first half.

"We have eight games left - eight cup finals - and we will give it our best shot."

Teenage forward Jerahl Hughes has returned to League One side Yeovil after the completion of a month's loan.