Lee Carey scored the only goal as Hastings United claimed their first win of the season away to Sussex rivals Bognor.

A close-range first-half strike from Carey sealed the points for the visitors and left Bognor still looking for their first victory and their first goal.

This was a third defeat in four games for the Rocks who look like being in for a tough season.

Hastings fully deserved their half-time lead as they battered the home defence, though it was a different story in the second half, when the Bognor looked sharper and had more of the play.

The worry for boss Darin Killpartrick, though, remains a lack of goals – and their failure to work opposition goalkeepers.

The Rocks started brightly enough and created a couple of early openings as Louie Castles caused havoc down the right.

But after one volley from Charlie Oatway was palmed away for a corner by keeper Greg Nessling, the Rocks struggled to test him again.

Gradually, Hastings found their feet, although on a number of occasions, they were let down by woeful finishing.

Steve Elliott squandered two good chances and Ade Olorunda sent a shot skidding off the clubhouse roof when he looked odds-on to put his team ahead.

Tony Dolby’s men did take the lead just after the half-hour mark when Carey skidded a low shot under the diving Anthony Ender after Sam Adams had beaten Tim Bond to a through-ball and found his team-mate eight yards out.

The goal seemed to stun the Rocks and for the rest of the first half, it was all Hastings, with Matt Maclean, Ade Onorunda and Elliott all threatening a second.

Killpartrick introduced Gary Norgate – the ex-Arundel striker signed earlier in the day – for the second half and he might have scored within 30 seconds, only to send a lob way over the bar.

Norgate had a couple more half-chances while Mickey Demetriou and Tim Bond also went close with headers and the Rocks tried to change their luck with two further substitutions.

But in truth, Hastings had as many opportunities to double their lead as Bognor had to level it up.

Horsham drew 2-2 away to Tonbridge Angels with their former striker, Carl Rook, hitting a stoppage time equaliser for the hosts.

Ex-Lewes frontman Paul Booth put Tonbridge ahead at half-time but the game turned when Lewis Hamilton was dismissed for bringing down Claude Seanla and the striker converted from the spot.

Lee Carney then put the Hornets 2-1 ahead only for Rook to head home in injury time.

Horsham boss John Maggs said: “The boys are distraught but we have played the three strongest sides now and more than matched them.”

In Ryman division one south, Worthing and Burgess Hill both suffered cruel defeats but Eastbourne Town picked up a useful point with a 1-1 draw away to Leatherhead.

Liam Baitup, who has returned to the club from Met Police, created the opening goal with a cross for Adam Davidson to head home on 65 minutes.

But the hosts levelled nine minutes from time when Dominic O’Shea found the net.

Late goals were the order of the night as Worthing led 2-1 away to Merstham going into the 90th minute only to lose 3-2.

The Rebels led 2-0 after half an hour thanks to goals from Gavin Gordon, with his second in as many games, and Jamie Brotherton.

However, the hosts levelled just before half-time and they won it with two goals in stoppage time.

Worthing manager Simon Colbran said: “We just don’t seem to be getting the breaks at the moment.

“They came at us in the second half but we seemed to weather the storm and defended really well.”

Burgess Hill lost 2-0 at home to Walton and Hersham with the visitors going ahead nine minutes from time and adding a second in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

The Hillians had a Danny Gainsford effort ruled out in the first half and were playing well until Craig Dunne broke the deadlock with a shot from just outside the penatly area.

In the first minute of injury time Lloyd Cotton was denied an equaliser by a fantastic save and soon after the visitors grabbed a second.

Burgess Hill’s miserable night was compounded by injuries to Steve Harper, who went off with a thigh strain, and skipper Leo Day, who suffered possible knee ligament damage.

Horsham YMCA took the lead after just a minute at home to Dulwich Hamlet but ended up losing 3-1.

Mike Huckett broke the deadlock after good work from Shaheen Sadough but the visitors levelled two minutes later.

Former Lewes player Stefan Cox made it 2-1 in the second half and Dulwich later added a third.

Tom Graves and Huckett were denied by great saves in the first half while Tom Lawley, John Westcott and Sadough missed great chances.

YM boss Chris White said: “We had enough chances to win three games of football but mistakes cost us.”