Leaders Ramsgate suffered defeat for the first time in Isthmian South East since the opening day of the season on Saturday.
Ben Smith’s Rams were beaten 4-2 at Lancing despite heading into the break ahead. Ironically, their only other defeat in the league so far this season was by the same scoreline at Sevenoaks in August.
It ended a run of five successive league wins for Ramsgate. It had seemed to be a dream debut for new signing Jack S Paxman – formerly of Maidstone, Ebbsfleet and Eastbourne – when he scored after just two minutes.
Lukas Franzen-Jones put Lancing level but leading scorer Joe Taylor restored Ramsgate’s lead on 36 minutes. Three goals in 11 second-half minutes proved decisive as George Taggart, debutant Ben Pope and Charlie Bennett did the damage.
Second-placed Cray Valley were unable to close the gap after their scheduled trip to Hythe was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Mitchell May scored a hat-trick as Sittingbourne beat bottom side Beckenham 4-0 at Woodstock. Chris Harris was also on target.
Sheppey dropped out of the top five following their 3-1 loss at home to Chichester, despite leading at the break through Connor Wilkins’ early goal when a corner fell perfectly for him inside the six-yard box.
Isaac Bello scored twice after the break with Mo Jammeh adding a third at the death for the visitors as Sheppey tasted defeat for the first time in 10 games.
Ashford are five points outside the play-off places after Ian Draycott’s late winner was enough to defeat Three Bridges 3-2.
Danny Parish’s clever finish had given Ashford a first-half lead but Brannon O’Neill and Noel Leighton put Bridges ahead within eight minutes of the second half. Vance Bola restored parity on 72 minutes before Draycott’s winner.
Herne Bay came from behind to go above their hosts Sevenoaks after posting a 2-1 success at Greatness Park.
Jahmal Howlett-Mundle’s close-range finish put Oaks ahead but Sam German equalised before the break. Top scorer Michael Salako put Bay ahead and they were grateful to keeper Harry Brooks for saving Kieron Cadogan’s spot-kick.
Phoenix Sports had Luke Leppard red-carded as they lost 4-0 at home to Broadbridge Heath, who climbed out of the relegation zone and above Erith & Belvedere – beaten 2-0 at Horndean – as a result.
Folkestone are four points and two places above the Isthmian Premier drop zone after Seidou Sanogo’s first goal for the club ensured they picked up a point from a 1-1 draw at home to Wingate & Finchley.
The visitors had led through Rhamar Garrett-Douglas’ 10th-minute opener at Cheriton Road.
Margate sit one place and two points below Invicta after suffering a late defeat at Whitehawk.
Steve Cawley scored twice as Gate battled back from 2-0 down to be on level terms. But they had Ben Greenhalgh sent off with 13 minutes left and were unable to hold on with 10 men.
A late equaliser by Kalvin Kalala denied Cray Wanderers maximum points at Hayes Lane. Cray had led through Tayo Oyebola in the first half but Kalala ensured visitors Lewes a point by scoring with five minutes left.
Chatham lost 2-1 at Bognor as Chris Dickson’s late goal proved only a consolation after strikes by Jasper Mather and Dan Smith in the first 20 minutes.
