With Horsham requiring just seven points to secure the league title, United could have down local rivals and second placed Eastbourne Town a massive favour with victory, but it was The Hornets who took one step closer to the league title.
United started well with Liam Baitup finding the ball at his feet inside the area, but Horsham ‘keeper James Shaw was quick off his line to smother at the feet of United’s leading scorer.
With the game less than ten minutes old, Zak Dove was caught by a wayward high boot from Kieran Pamment which left the United man requiring nearly five minutes of treatment to a gash on his head.
Dove attempted to continue following treatment, but his afternoon was soon over as he was replaced by Toby Clifford and taken to A&E as a precaution.
Horsham looked dangerous from corners and attempted to use their height advantage with Joe Shelley twice just evading inswinging corners at the far post.
Horsham went close to scoring on the stroke of half time as Pamment collected a long ball behind the United back line and cut inside whilst through on Callum Christie, but proceeded to hit the base of the near post before the ball was cleared to safety.
But the half would not end goalless, as in stoppage time Pamment was allowed space at the far post to convert from close range and give Horsham the lead.
United’s hopes of getting back into the contest were dealt a blow at half-time with Liam Baitup succumbing to injury and playing no further part in the contest.
Much of the second half possession belonged to Horsham, with Terry Dodd and Evan Archibald both foiled by Christie, while Ashley Jones failed to test United number one.
Despite huffing and puffing, Horsham found it hard to break down United’s stubborn resolve, but that resolve was broken late in the contest.
Former United man Brad Lewis played in Pamment who proceeded to take the ball round Christie and roll into the unguarded net.
In stoppage time, Horsham added a third as another former United man, Evan Archibald, beat the offside trap and Christie to complete victory