FOOTBALL: Arundel back in title race?

ARUNDEL may have sparked their title challenge back into life with 4-1 victory over Hassocks at Mill Road on Tuesday night.

Horsham YMCA's shock defeat at rock bottom Worthing United meant Arundel leapfrogged them into second place

Eastbourne remain two points clear at the top but face a tricky final game at home to Redhill.

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As things stand, if they fail to win then victory at home to Ringmer on Saturday (2pm) would give Arundel the title. However, rumours suggesting a Chichester point deduction could take the title from Arundel's grasp '“ see County League title race thrown wide open? story.

Mullets were on top without posing any real goal threat and it took a controversial penalty decision in the 29th minute to jolt them into action.

Referee Boris Erguven adjudged an innocuous challenge in the Arundel box to be a push but Lee Arnell saved Anthony Hibbert kick.

The scare proved the wake-up call Mullets needed and a three-goal blitz in six minutes put them firmly in control.

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Mike Huckett struck first on 36 minutes with a cracking right footer from just outside the box.

Arnell then made a great tip over from Dan Jacques to preserve the advantage before Matt Axell powered home a close range header.

Rob Grove joined the party in the 42nd minute when he returned a poor clearance with interest from the edge of the area with the aid of a slight deflection

Erguven then gave Mullets a penalty after a trip on Gary Norgate but Huckett's strike was superbly tipped round the post by Jason Gander.

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Hassocks pulled one back on the hour when Arnell rushed from his line to thwart Neil Kane, only for the ball to fall to James Laing who steered calmly home.

Mullets looked jittery for a while until Norgate stalled Hassocks' hopes in the 75th minute by rifling in a free-kick from the edge of the box.

ARUNDEL: Arnell; Sneller, D.Walker, Wimbleton, Hall; Biggs, Grove, Huckett, Axell; Neighbour, Norgate. Subs: Hack, Hamilton, Tipper ( Wimbleton, Hall, Biggs 75).

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