HORSHAM YMCA have put themselves in pole position to be crowned County League champions.

They stretched their good run to six wins out of seven with a 3-1 defeat of East Preston which moved Chris White’s side up to second in the table.

YM are two points behind leaders Eastbourne United but have a game in hand.

Manager White said: “We have worked our way into a great position. A month ago I didn’t think we had a chance of finishing in the top two but that is six wins out of seven and we know what we have got to do.

“The boys are very focused and we have two games to win.”

YM play their game in hand tomorrow night away to Worthing United, who are managed by former long-serving YM boss John Suter, and then finish at home to another relegated side, Oakwood, on Saturday.

Eastbourne United finish at home to Redhill while Arundel, who are mathematically not out of the equation, still have Hassocks and Ringmer to play.

Scott Marshall, Paul Elliott and James Rhodes got YM’s goals against East Preston, who are now relegated.

White said: “We knew it would be tough because they had plenty to play for and, of course, I managed there for the last two years. It wasn’t pretty and we had to be patient but once we got the first goal we were comfortable.”

Eastbourne United put a run of three games without a win behind them with a 5-0 drubbing of Chichester thanks to goals from Steve Morris (two), Simon Stevens (two) and Ben Billings but manager Brian Dennis is realistic about his side’s title hopes.

He said: “I think Arundel are out of it so it is between us and Horsham. We are relying on them slipping up and I can’t see that happening.”

Arundel’s hopes realistically ended with a 2-2 draw away to Redhill after playing with ten men from early on following the controversial dismissal of Rob Grove following an aerial clash with Jason Barton, who was booked.

Mullets assistant Simon Butler believed it was an innocuous incident but felt both players deserved the same punishment. Ironically, Barton hit the late equaliser to deny Arundel, who had twice led through Josh Biggs and Gary Norgate.

East Grinstead secured their survival with a 2-0 win at Whitehawk, which condemned East Preston and Oakwood to relegation.

Manager Steve Johnson and assistant Paul Thomsett have turned things round at East Court after taking over in January.

Johnson said: “I have never been relegated in my life and I wasn’t going to be this year.

“They only had nine points when we took over so it was a bit daunting but we knew we had the quality to stay up. We brought in just three players and added them to what they had there which we knew were good enough.

“Our away form has been magnificent and if our home form had been better we would be mid-table by now.”

Simon Funnell and Andy Ducille, one of Johnson’s signings, got the goals to sink Whitehawk.

Oakwood enjoyed a thumping 5-1 win at home to Hailsham thanks to goals from Jamie Lovegrove, Ian Parker, Chris Williams, Pat Massaro and Dan Attwater but it was not enough to save them.

Manager John Mist said: “In the last five games we have drawn three and won two. We have had a decent run but it has been too much too late.

“It looks like it will be three up, three down but we can go to Horsham and maybe spoil the party and if we do finish third from bottom you never know.”

Three Bridges ensured a fifth place finish with a 2-1 win at Ringmer thanks to goals from Carl Dunk and George Hillier while Shoreham kept on course to finish in the top six after beating Pagham 2-0 thanks to a towering Dan Jordan header and Dean Smith’s lob.

Phil Gault scored twice as St Francis Rangers beat Worthing United 5-0 while Lingfield won 2-1 at home to Selsey.

l In division two, Peacehaven were crowned champions after a 1-1 draw with Crawley Down, who were promoted in the process.

Bexhill United were relegated after Midhurst and Easebourne beat Mile Oak 3-1.