Southgate maintained their third-place position in the East Conference thanks to a narrow win away at Brighton & Hove.

Joe Sterlini scored the only goal of the game in a tight encounter to give the visitors the three points and keep the pressure on Oxted and Old Georgians at the top.

Southgate made the better start to the game and were enjoying more of the ball, although both teams had chances despite being unable to convert, leaving the game goalless at the break.

Sterlini broke the deadlock in the 46th minute when a well-worked penalty corner deflected into the roof of the net to hand the visitors the advantage, and they held onto that lead until the end, despite Brighton edging the game in terms of possession.

Southgate will have the chance to close the gap on Oxted next Saturday (February 24) when they visit Teddington.