Pagham back on track after win at Lingfield

Matt Wood’s second-half double won it for Carl Stabler’s team after Daren Pearce and Scott Murfin had scored earlier in the game.

It puts the Lions second and six points behind leaders Rye with a game in hand. Rye won 2-1 at Redhill.

Elsewhere in division one there were big defeats for Chichester City and Selsey.

Basement boys City went down 6-1 at Worthing United - for whom Lucas Mann scored four - while Selsey lost 5-2 at home to Hassocks.

Midhurst, like Pagham, were 4-3 winners - a Michael Asare hat-trick earned them a thrilling win over Steyning at Rotherfield in division two.

The Stags are now just two points adrift at the bottom.

In division three Bosham won on the road for the second week in a row - 1-0 at Newhaven - but Barnham’s promotion challenge faltered with a 3-1 home reverse to Forest. The Reds are up to eighth.

In the reserve section west, Selsey won 4-0 at Chichester.

In the West Sussex League, Lavant’s fine run at the top of division one continued with a 1-0 success over Holbrook.

As ever you can catch up with all the local football in the Observer on Thursday.

STEVE BONE