Eastbourne Borough 3, Hayes and Yeading 1.

Eastbourne Borough manager Garry Wilson believes his side are now title favourites after they went four points clear of Lewes at the top of Blue Square south.

Goals by Pat Harding, substitute Matt Smart and Andy Atkin - with his 27th of the season - secured the points in front of a crowd of 911 at Priory Lane.

Wilson said: "Realistically, if you were a betting man the money goes on us now because we've got the points. We are not hiding from that.

"But four points can swing pretty quickly if you are not careful. I've got in mind what happened to Lewes. It wasn't so long ago they were four points in the lead but then they picked up injuries and lost form.

"We're not getting carried away and I still think it is going to go to the end.

"It's crucial at this stage that we don't lose games and it was a hardworking performance.

"I'm delighted with tonight's support and I hope they all come back for our remaining home games. It could make the difference in us winning the title or not."

Borough went into the game aware that the momentum of the title battle with Lewes had swung in their favour.

They could no longer play down their chances after going top with a 5-1 win at Sutton on Borough.

In the early stages Borough seemed to be dealing with the increased expectation as they created a string of chances.

Hayes and Yeading goalkeeper Alessio De Angelis showed why he was once good enough to play for Serie A side Lazio and Italy's under-19s. He acrobatically tipped over a point-blank Paul Armstrong header before frustrating the former Albion midfielder with another stop.

Atkin also had a snap-shot saved by De Angelis.

Atkin, who was looking to continue his prolific form in front of goal, twice headed wide and then missed a golden opportunity with a goal at his mercy.

With Andy Ballard's long throw causing havoc in the visitors' defence, Borough turned the screw.

Hayes and Yeading, a young side full of quick movement, created a couple of half chances with Nevin Saroya having an effort tipped onto the bar by Lee Hook.

But Borough finally eased the growing tension among the home faithful by taking the lead on 32 minutes when Atkin headed down a Jay Lovett cross for Harding to smash into the roof of the net from close range.

To Borough's dismay, the advantage lasted just nine minutes.

Marc Pullan fouled quick-footed Stafforde Palmer in the penalty area and keeper Hook was sent the wrong way by Saroya's spot kick.

It almost got worse as Palmer went down under a Pullan challenge but the referee waved away appeals for a second penalty.

There was nothing at stake for Hayes and Yeading but they helped make for an entertaining encounter and in De Angelis they had a player capable of breaking Borough hearts.

He denied Armstrong, Atkin and Robbie Kember in a hectic start to the second half.

Wilson made a double substitution on 70 minutes, bringing on Matt Smart and Allan Tait, and they proved inspired.

Just 60 seconds later, Smart put Borough back in front, prodding home from close range after a long throw from Ballard was flicked on at the near post.

Tait then provided the cross for Atkin to seal the points 12 minutes from time.

Eastbourne Borough: Hook, Ballard, Jenkins, Kember (sub Smart 70), Lovett, Pullan, Harding, Armstrong, Atkin, Ramsay (sub Tait 70), M.Crabb (sub Baker 81). Subs not used: Budd, Lightwood.

Hayes and Yeading: De Angelis, Allen-Page, Collins, Thompson, Saroya, Marwa (sub Hendry 85), Perkins, Mulley (sub Mapes 79), Palmer (sub Ledgester 81), Knight, Collins. Subs not used: Mapes, Matthews, Hendry, Thomson.

Referee: Mr E Smith.

Attendance: 911.

Man-of-the-match: Andy Atkin.