Whitehawk made it four wins out of four to go top of division one but joint boss George Parris insists they are not playing to their potential.
Danny Bird and substitute Marc Whiteman were on target as Hawks won 2-0 away to East Grinstead to climb above Chichester, who were held at home to promoted Crawley Down.
Parris said: “We didn’t play particularly well. We would rather play well and win 1-0, than not play well and win 5-0.
“We believe we have constructed a team that can play football. When they don’t do what they are good at and make it difficult for themselves it is frustrating.
“We are working hard but we need to gel and that takes time.”
Chichester appeared to be heading for victory against Crawley Down when Ben Vassallo scored either side of half-time to put his side 2-0 ahead and make it ten goals in four games for him.
However, Tony Reid halved the deficit four minutes from time and Sam Cane hit an 89th-minute equaliser for a 2-2 draw. The Anvils could even have won it as Aaron Watson missed a chance in stoppage time.
Two other sides staged comebacks to draw 2-2, including Selsey who scored twice in the last ten minutes through Joe Miles and Ross Woolf to earn a point at home to Hailsham.
Goals from Scott McDonald and Ryan Alexander put the visitors in the driving seat but they seemed to be unsettled when referee Mark Parsons was stretchered off with an ankle injury, causing a lengthy delay.
Hassocks led 2-0 at home to Arundel thanks to Anthony Hibbert (penalty) and Neil Kane but Arundel rallied to snatch a point with Dave Towers reducing the deficit on the hour-mark and Josh Biggs hitting an equaliser seven minutes from time.
Lingfield are third in the table after Bronek Dabrowa’s early strike earned them a 1-0 win away to promoted Mile Oak. Chris Paine went closing to equalising for the hosts.
The other promoted side, Peacehaven, are going well with two wins and a draw from their first three games, including a 2-1 success at Redhill on Saturday thanks to Tom Burton and a terrific 25-yard strike from Stuart Garrod.
Boss Peter Edwards said: “I’m very happy with the start. We are a young side and are finding out something about ourselves every week.”
Reigning champions Eastbourne United won 2-1 at Shoreham despite missing seven players who went to a music festival, much to the annoyance of boss Brian Dennis.
Steve Dallaway scored twice with headers, including an 89th minute winner from a Ben Billings cross after Richard Hudson had cancelled out his opener.
Dennis said: “We are playing Eastbourne Borough tomorrow (in the Roy Hayden Trophy) and I have told the players not to expect their shirts back.”
Wick found themselves a goal down after 30 seconds away to Crowborough but fought back to win 4-2 thanks to Phil Turner (two), George Gaskin and Scott Murfin. Nathan Millroy and Scott Treleaven netted for the hosts.
Pagham’s young guns continued their good start with a 2-0 win at home to St Francis Rangers with goals coming in each half from Andy Cox and Michael Frangou.
Three Bridges came from behind to win 2-1 at Ringmer with Carl Dunk and Dean Wright on target in the second half after Matt Percival had opened the scoring.
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