The top three march on- but each of them is made to work for their three points

Hastings United remain six points clear at the top- but they had to come from behind after escape artists Phoenix Sports gave them a shock at Pilot Field. After a goalless first half Alfie Evans gave Sports the lead ten minutes after the break, but that woke up the hosts. Sam Adams equalised only three minutes later, and five minutes after the leveller Jack Dixon put United ahead for the first time. Even then the outcome was far from certain, and it remained that way until the very last minute, when Ben Pope converted a spot kick.

Cray Valley PM- pictured courtesy of the lens of Brownie Sports Photography- remain second, but they didn’t have it all their own way either, as Sittingbourne made it difficult at the Artic Stadium. It didn’t look like it was going to be that difficult as Marcel Barrington and Anthony Edgar but the Millers two up at the break, but Lex Allan’s goal for the Brickies eleven minutes into the second half made things far more tense for the home crowd. Their side held on, however, and took all three points.

Ashford United, in third, also had a rather tough time at bottom side Whitstable Town, only winning the match in the last five minutes. Charlie Heatley gave the Oysterboys the lead just before the break, with Jarred Trespaderne’s equaliser coming with only twenty three minutes remaining. Five minutes from time an unfortunate own goal gave the Nuts and Bolts the lead for the first time, before Tashi-Jay Kwayie made the scoreline a little more attractive for the visitors in the last minute.

Haywards Heath Town remain inside the top five, but only just, as they came back from two goals down only to lose against Three Bridges. The visitors saw Curtis Gayler and Bryan Villavicencio put them two goals up before half an hour had passed, but the Heath comeback began with an own goal eight minutes before the break and ended when Trevor McCreadie scored from the spot five minutes after the restart. Just when it looked like both sides would leave with a point, Dan Perry popped up with a winner four minutes from time.

Heath stayed fifth because Herne Bay couldn’t take advantage, drawing nil-nil with VCD Athletic, whilst Burgess Hill Town are up to seventh courtesy of a three-one win at Sevenoaks Town. Lewis Finney put the visitors ahead just before the breakm Hayden Skerry made it two just after the hour, and although Freeman Rogers made the last thirteen minutes interesting by getting one back for Oaks a Lewis Taylor penalty just before the end made it three goals and three points for the Hillians.

A late goal from Jack Mayhew gave Hythe Town three points against Chichester City. Luca Woodhouse have the Cannons an early lead, scoring after just six minutes, but Josh Clack’s first goal back at City drew them level midway through the half. That was that until two minutes from time, when Mayhew, on from the bench only nine minutes earlier, got the winner.

Lancing got back to winning ways against East Grinstead Town, and closed to within one point of their visitors. After a goalless first half an own goal put the Lancers ahead just after the break, and the points were sealed five minutes from time when Destiny Ojo got his first goal in a yellow shirt.

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