United leapfrogged neighbours Sidley United at the foot of Division One in the Sussex County Football League in light of a 3-2 success at third-placed Arundel.

Chairman and manager Clive Taylor said: "It was a brilliant result, we excelled ourselves. Our will to win saw us through."

Scott McDonald gave Rye a half time lead and, although Arundel levelled, Mo Abdullahi restored the visitors' lead about 10 seconds after coming on.

United suffered a blow around 15 minutes from time when Duncan McArthur was sent-off for the fifth time this season following a second yellow card.

Arundel levelled not long afterwards, but Abdullahi ran through to grab the winner with four minutes to go.

The result means United finish second-from-bottom for the third year in a row and will now be hoping for a third consecutive relegation reprieve.

Rustington are ineligible for promotion from Division Two, Crowborough Athletic are going up from Division One and Horsham YMCA may not be coming down from Ryman Division One South.

Taylor added: "At the moment it's looking hopeful that we should stay up, but we won't know for certain until the second week in May."