CRAWLEY Down cemented their place at the top of the Sussex County League with this thrashing of lowly Hailsham.

A brace from Tom Lyons and goals from Wes Millis, Nick Sullivan and Tom Burton completed the rout, that sees the Anvils remain unbeaten after their first six matches this season.

Not that you would have known it from the first 15 minutes, as the visitors dominated the opening exchanges and belied their lowly league position.

And Town almost took the lead after three minutes, with the Anvils forced to hack the ball off their own line to safety.

However, goals change games and once Millis had put his side ahead on 20 minutes the home team always looked good value for the win.

To cap a short period of pressure, Joe Ranson supplied Nick Sullivan, whose cross was turned in by Millis.

With 30 minutes gone there was a great shout for a penalty as Nick Sullivan tumbled in the area but the appeal was waved away.

But five minutes before half time the second goal finally came when from an Anvil attack the ball found Tom Lyons free in the box. The striker seemed to take an eternity before finding the net to give his side a two goal cushion at the break.

The home side were rocked on 53 minutes, however, as the visitors caught the Anvil defence asleep and front man Jamie Salvidge netted from close range.

But four minutes later the home side were two clear again as Lyons calmly converted from the spot after Millis was brought down in the area.

Then, on the hour, Down made it virtually game over, when from another Dan Sullivan corner brother Nick was able to duck under the visitors radar to head home.

Still in command the Anvils powered forward looking for more goals but lacked the cutting edge when in good positions to add to the scoreline.

However, just when one thought the game was over, along came Tom Burton to score a well deserved goal and round off a satisfactory performance, not only from himself, but the team as a whole.

Crawley Down: Goldsmith, Ranson, Jones, Swetman, Etherington, Sullivan, Burton, Millis (Beeston), Pook (Curtis), Lyons, Sullivan (Cane).

Crawley Down were made to settle for a goalless draw away at Wick on Tuesday night so remain unbeaten. They are now just two points clear of Rye United.