Rebels moved into fifth place with this comfortable win over Chatham, while Sittingbourne, who were fifth, lost 2-1 at home to Croydon Athletic.

Despite playing against a strong wind in the first half, Worthing led 3-0 at half-time and had taken the lead after just three minutes.

Ben Johnson knocked the ball forward and Jamie Brotherton flicked the ball past Chatham defender Daniel Larkin before slotting home.

Chatham substitute Justin Ascheri, on for the injured Stephen Hafner, had a golden chance to equalise saved by Worthing keeper Rikki Banks before Rebels went 2-0 ahead on 24 minutes.

Scott Kirkwood passed a free kick 22 yards out to captain Ben Andrews, and his low shot took a slight deflection to wrongfoot Chatham's keeper Miroslav Oravec.

Six minutes later, Chatham were reduced to 10 men when Shane Suter was dismissed for two bookings. The first had been for kicking the ball away and the second came after a foul on Karly Akehurst.

Worthing moved three ahead on 43 minutes when Brotherton glanced home Johnson's corner for his fifth goal in as many games.

Rebels bossed the second period and missed several opportunities before Chatham pulled a goal back on 80 minutes.

Banks and Dominic Douglas got in a muddle, which allowed Robert Denness to lob the ball forward and Stuart Axten, running back, could only divert the ball into his own goal.

Seven minutes later, Worthing got the goal their second-half performance deserved when substitute Mark Pulling slotted home Kirkwood's pass.

WORTHING: Banks; Keehan, Axten, Douglas, Rowland; Hughes, Akehurst, Kirkwood, Johnson; Andrews, Brotherton. Subs: Skinner (Johnson 60), Pulling (Andrews 79), Morrow (Kirkwood 88), Benn, Rogers. Att: 216.

For match reaction from Worthing joint-manager Alan Pook and in-form striker Jamie Brotherton, see the March 13 edition of the Worthing Herald.