Second-placed Hastings are 19 points adrift of Premier Division leaders Preston Nomads with a further 60 points available for either side.

Priory captain Jason Finch said: "We've still got a lot to do and obviously they're still favourites, but the pressure is on them big time."

Finch's men were thrown something of a lifeline on their free week last Saturday when Nomads' 11-match unbeaten run came to an end at the hands of Brighton & Hove.

"We still need help from a couple of other sides to make it work, but it's certainly given us a boost. They will be looking over their shoulder a little bit now," continued Finch.

Hastings return to action away to rock-bottom Stirlands tomorrow and expect to be just about at full strength with Max Finzel, James Pooley and Bradley Smith vying for the final batting spot.

Stirlands have won only one of their last 12 games and were sunk by nine wickets in June's reverse fixture, but they were the last team to beat Nomads prior to last weekend.

Finch went on: "If we get Sean Heather out, they're struggling to get 200, and with the batting line-up we intend to take there, we've got to fancy our chances."

Nomads will also be in the far side of the county tomorrow because they travel to a second-bottom Chichester Priory Park outfit which is winless in its last five outings.

The only other team in with a mathematical chance of landing the title is Eastbourne and they go to mid-table Horsham tomorrow currently nine points back of Priory.

Should all three triumph, the destination of the trophy will be decided next Saturday when Hastings entertain East Grinstead and Nomads host Eastbourne.

"All we can do is win our last two games and see what happens. If we can take it to that last game we've got experience of playing in those last games and you just never know," added Finch.

Bexhill expect to be without Richard Harrison, meanwhile, for the remainder of the Division Two season.

Harrison is facing a three-match ban for a show of dissent towards the umpire after being given out in last weekend's match against St James' Montefiore.

The suspension - which would take immediate effect - would sideline him for the trip to Worthing tomorrow (Saturday) and the final match of the campaign at home to Sidley.

Promotion-chasing Bexhill are expecting a tough game at Worthing after the events of earlier in the season when the opposing skipper branded them a disgrace for clinching a last ball win by taking an overthrow following a deflection off one of the batsmen.

Already relegated Sidley entertain Haywards Heath tomorrow.