United are within touching distance of the runners-up spot in Division Three following a 3-1 victory away to neighbours Little Common.

Victory at home to second-bottom Forest on Saturday or at Dorking Wanderers the following Saturday will take Bexhill above the already finished Haywards Heath Town.

Two draws would even be enough because United now have a superior goal difference than the team they beat in last month's Division Three Challenge Cup Final.

They got off to a bad start at a bitterly cold Little Common Recreation Ground, Lewis Hole giving Common a sixth minute lead from Dave Carey's low cross.

But the visitors were back on level terms seven minutes later when Ben White slammed home a penalty after Chris Steward fouled Will Dunstall.

Bexhill ought to have been ahead at the break, but failed to hit the target from several good opportunities with the strong wind at their backs.

They eventually got their noses in front after 58 minutes thanks to home goalkeeper Rob Gordon spilling Andy Garman's near post corner into his own net.

Common defender Chris Storrs was shown his second yellow card in the space of a minute just seconds later and Warren Parsons sealed the points for Bexhill with their third goal on 75 minutes.