Brian Dennis has urged his Eastbourne United players to make history.

The leaders took a step closer to landing their first County League title since 1956 with an emphatic 4-0 win at home to struggling East Preston.

Victory kept United a point clear of Wick, who have played two games more, and with five matches to play the title is in sight.

Manager Dennis said: “If we could get two more wins and other results went our way it could be over and done with.

“But we have just got to concentrate on winning each game. It is now all about being professional for myself, my staff and my players.

“I have said to the lads they could go down in the club’s history. It is 53 years since we last won the league and we won the RUR Cup the same year. We could do the same. I have told the lads people could be talking about them in 50 years’ time.”

Goals came from Lee Jules, Steve Morris, Lucas Mann and Sam Crabb.

Wick and Arundel kept the pressure on by both claiming victories.

The turning point of Wick’s 3-1 win at Pagham came after 32 minutes when home goalkeeper Wes Hallett was shown a red card for bringing down Scott Murfin in the penalty area. Julian Curnow converted the spot-kick and got another in the second half while Murfin was also on target with his 25th goal of the season.

Howard Neighbour scored twice in the first two minutes and then had a fifth-minute hat-trick chance superbly saved by Kieran Mann as Arundel beat bottom side Worthing United 4-3.

Neighbour’s early brace was cancelled out by Luke Keen and Jamie Watts (penalty) inside 12 minutes. Jason Wimbleton restored their lead before half-time only for Richard Greenfield to level again a minute into the restart but Stuart Hack’s goal 14 minutes from time decided the issue.

Arundel assistant Simon Butler said: “It could have been seven or eight but for their goalkeeper. We still think it is there for the taking. We have to rely on Eastbourne dropping points but we are buoyant.”

Oakwood were the only side in the bottom four to claim a point as they drew 0-0 at home to Shoreham. It could have been more but Gerald Manville’s strike in the dying seconds was ruled out for offside.

Fourth bottom East Grinstead went down to a 95th-minute strike from Neil Cane as they lost 2-1 at home to Hassocks. Simon Funnell gave the Wasps a first-half lead but Anthony Hibbert levelled from the penalty spot midway through the second half.

Redhill remain sixth after winning 2-0 at home to Selsey thanks to an own goal and Tony Reid’s 16th of the season.

James Temple (two) and Joe Briggs were on target in the second-half as Chichester came from behind to win 3-1 at Hailsham, who led through Dan Leach.

Ringmer scored twice in the last eight minutes to win 4-3 at home to Lingfield.

David Altendorff, Aaron MacMillan, Sam Sowter and Aaron Hasan scored for the Blues while Steve Ahoua (two) and Daley Clark netted for Lingfield, who led 3-2 until the closing stages.