Steve Hutchings opened the scoring after just four minutes and Prichard then doubled the lead on 25 minutes. Chichester were awarded a penalty with just eight minutes of the 90 left and Steve Hutchings slotted the ball into the bottom left corner.

Chichester went to press Littlehampton from the off as they looked to make a quick start to the match.

Only four minutes in, Chi took the lead. Prichard played a chipped cross to the back post, where Steve Hutchings was waiting to rise highest and nod the ball in from close range.

Kaleem Haitham played in a pacy cross for Steve Hutchings and his glancing header went wide of the target.

Littlehampton won the first corner of the game which was taken by Tom Bold, but Kieran Magee did well to claim it in a crowded area.

A long-range effort from George Gaskin didn’t trouble Magee as the shot went over.

Rob Hutchings spotted Littlehampton goalkeeper Alex Harris off his line and looked to chip him, but the ‘keeper got back to catch the ball.

A mazy run from Connor Cody allowed him to set Prichard away down the right and he fired in a low cross which was spilt and eventually gathered by Littlehampton’s No1 Harris.

A Littlehampton free-kick was crossed into a dangerous area, and it was well-headed away by Cody.

Prichard made it 2-0 to City on 25 minutes. A long ball up the pitch was headed on by Lloyd Rowlatt for Prichard who was able to race away towards goal and fire it into the net beyond Harris.

Four minutes later, Ryan Davidson had a great opportunity as the ball fell to him in the box from a corner, but he fired over from close range.

Davidson picked out Emmett Dunn on the edge of the box and he looked to place his shot into the bottom corner, but the attempt was blocked.

Rowlatt came close to adding his name to the scoresheet as his curling effort hit the post after he cut in past the defender from the left.

The pressure continued from Chichester and Steve Hutchings thought he had his second goal of the night only to see the ball cleared off the line.

Former Chi player Devon Fender forced a save from Magee just before half-time, but the flag was already raised for offside against the striker.

The second half started slower in comparison to the first half and Chi’s first corner of the second 45 was an out-swinging one from Rowlatt that was cleared away.

A Littlehampton corner was missed by Magee who came to punch it away, but the defence covered well and cleared it from danger.

Just after the hour mark, Rob Hutchings pushed high on the left and cut the ball back to Dunn on the edge of the 18-yard box and his shot was blocked.

Gaskin played a cross into a dangerous area of the Chichester box, but fortunately, it went past everyone and out of play.

The visitors were awarded a free-kick in a threatening position and Gaskin’s effort was watched all the way by Magee who gathered it well.

Littlehampton continued to push for a goal and a swerving shot from Gaskin was just about dealt with by the Chi ‘keeper.

Olly Munt came on from the bench and nearly made it 3-0 as his shot went inches wide of the near post.

On 79 minutes, there were appeals for a Chi penalty as Rowlatt went down under Dion Jarvis’ challenge, but the appeals were dismissed.

Moments later, the referee did point to the spot for a Chichester penalty as Prichard was brought down in the area by Scott Faber. Steve Hutchings stepped up to take the penalty and found the bottom left corner to make it 3-0.

Chichester did well to see out the rest of the game securing another three points. The win means Chi have picked up 16 points from the last 18 and they move up to eighth in the table.

Up next is an away trip to Three Bridges on Saturday 18th February.

Chichester City: Magee, Davidson, Rob Hutchings, Clarke, Cody, Pashley, Haitham, Dunn, Steve Hutchings, Rowlatt, Prichard (Moore, Bello, Munt, Clack, Weinberger)