Arundel manager Richard Towers believes his side can win the County League title after the top three teams suffered a blank holiday Monday.

Leaders Eastbourne United saw their hopes of securing the title dented as Danny Leach’s two goals consigned them to a 2-0 defeat at local rivals Hailsham.

Second-placed Wick also slipped up as they were held to a 0-0 draw by relegation battling East Preston while third-placed Three Bridges lost 1-0 to fourth-placed Horsham YMCA.

The results have opened the door for Arundel and YMCA to make a late charge.

Arundel, who have games in hand on the leading pack, beat Chichester 3-1 and still have to play United at home on Saturday, although they also face a tough trip to Ringmer on Thursday before that.

Towers said: “It is a big ask but we are confident we can carry on winning and take the title.

“It was always going to be tough against Chichester but the result was everything.”

Mullets assistant manager Simon Butler added: “We now know that we can win the title as long as we carry on winning our games so that is a nice incentive to have.

“It means that they are now looking at our results, rather than us having to look at theirs to see if they slip up.”

A diving header by Jason Wimbleton, plus further goals by Dave Walker and Mike Huckett, took Arundel to victory.

YMCA boss Chris White was delighted after his side bounced back from the disappointment of losing in the John O’Hara League Cup final on Good Friday to Whitehawk by beating Three Bridges 1-0, courtesy of a Steve Metcalf goal.

He said: “With no disrespect to Whitehawk, today was always more important than the cup final and it was a very important three points.

“We have five games left and want to win every one of them and see where we are after that.”

Wick assistant manager Vic Short admitted their goalless draw against East Preston was “boring” and despite being in second place level on points with United has written off their chances as they have two games left.

Hailsham boss Ross Scamardella was thrilled with his side’s win over Eastbourne United.

He said: “It’s a local derby so it doesn’t matter if it is 10th versus 11th, or top versus fifth from bottom, you just want to win.

“It doesn’t matter to us who wins the league but we don’t really want our local rivals to be champions either.”

Bottom side Worthing United lost 2-1 at Shoreham while the teams above them – Oakwood, East Preston and East Grinstead all drew.

Nathan Pullen headed Oakwood ahead on 78 minutes but Andrew Dalhouse was pulled back in the area deep into stoppage time and Tony Reid levelled for visitors Redhill.

East Grinstead trailed 2-0 at Lingfield but goals by Ben Burns and Mark Pelling rescued a point as they hover one place above EP, who have a game in hand and a point fewer.