There were clouds overhead for Potters Bar Town as they travelled to the south coast - but at least there was some silver lining on their return to Hertfordshire.
The Scholars went to relegation threatened Bognor Regis Town in the Isthmian League Premier Division and returned with a 1-0 loss.
It is unlikely to be enough to save the Rocks, who remain inside the bottom four and still 11 points from safety with just four games remaining, but it does give them a stay of execution.
For Potters Bar though it was another blow to their hopes of finishing in the top half of the table.
They are now 14th and five points behind rivals Wingate & Finchley in 11th.
It was a game lacking in a lot of chances, Bar skipper Ronnie Henry having to make a superb challenge to keep the game level in the first half and Bognor did miss another glorious chance later on.
The visitors hit the bar from a corner and after the break, both Brandon Adams and Joe Re were denied by Bognor keeper Ryan Hall.
The deadlock was broken on 71 minutes, Dion Jarvis on target, and that was enough.
Potters Bar did return to better news as their Lantern Stadium as the transformation nears completion.
The new artificial playing surface is now fully down with goals also in place. They hope to have it open very soon with a return from Kings Langley planned for the start of next season.
Before then the Scholars play Billericay Town at home before the Herts Senior Challenge Cup final, at Langley, against Hemel Hempstead Town on Tuesday, April 15.
AFC Welwyn's Spartan South Midlands League Division One clash against Long Buckby was postponed, with Desborough Town replacing them at the top of the table.
Codicote meanwhile lost 3-1 in Division Two away to MK Irish Res.
