Burgess Hill made harder work of easing relegation fears than their 4-1 victory at relegated Crowborough would suggest.

Big centre-half Danny Gainsford swept them ahead after six minutes and things seemed to be going very much their way when Wes Tate broke clear and got a fortunate bounce of the ball off home keeper Rob Gordon to make it 2-0 after 27 minutes.

But after looking comfortable, they conceded seven minutes before half-time when Callum Christie was beaten in the air by home skipper Dave Soutar after a header had struck the bar from a free-kick.

Soutar was delighted to score against one of his old clubs and would have been even happier had Christie not superbly foiled Sam Carrington twice in quick succession midway through the second half.

A harsh penalty award for handball on 78 minutes enabled Steve Harper to put his side back in the comfort zone and the Hillians skipper wrapped it up four minutes from time.

Hill manager Gary Croydon was happy with the result and the performances of dual County League signings Leo Day and Toby Phillips in their first games of the season.

Crowborough boss Stuart Nowell felt his team got few breaks.