Lewes edged out City in a closely contested battle between the in-form play-off contenders, but despite being second best for long spells, the Lilywhites were left to rue two golden chances that went begging, whilst at the other end, the visitors’ central defensive pairing of Stephen Robinson and Djoumin Sangare made no mistake in front of goal.

Paul Booth’s last gasp leveller at Weymouth, his 29th goal of the season, stretched City’s unbeaten run to six matches (five wins and a draw) but with Greg Lincoln and Michael Gash still unavailable and Josh Simpson, Mark Molesley and Dale Binns all struggling for full fitness the hosts’ resources were stretched to the limit.

Glen Fuff deals with Jean-Michel Sigere

Lewes came into the game on an equally impressive run of six wins and two draws from their last eight games with deadly strike duo Jean-Michel Sigere (26) and Karl Beckford (14) scoring the goals to see off Bishop’s Stortford at the Dripping Pan.

With the season drawing towards a climax and both teams thinking in terms of the possibility of promotion the opening exchanges were understandably tense and decent passing football, in blustery conditions, was at a premium.

Lewes gradually began to take the upper hand and carved out the first clear cut opportunity when Beckford picked up the ball some twenty yards out and unleashed a dipping drive which beat a fully extended Danny Naisbitt but crashed off the face of the crossbar.

The Rooks territorial advantage paid dividends soon afterwards when they grabbed the lead from a well-worked set piece. Dale Binns fouled Beckford on the Lewes right and Simon Wormull sent in a perfectly flighted free kick which was met by the towering Robinson who planted a bullet header beyond Naisbitt.

As an undistinguished half drew to a close City should have grabbed a leveller. Naisbitt’s huge goal kick deceived Dean Hooper who inadvertently played Paul Booth in on the edge of the box. Looking to score for the sixth consecutive game Booth attempted to lob the giant Paul Wilkerson as he advanced off his line. The ‘keeper could only palm the ball across the six yard box and into the path of Mark Molesley with the goal at his mercy. However, the Lilywhites’ midfielder appeared to stand on the ball before falling over as the grateful Rooks cleared their lines.

Robbie Simpson gets stuck in

City attempted to up the tempo after the break with Craig Dobson instrumental in turning the screw against his former club. A decent spell of pressure culminated in a well worked short corner routine which saw Dobson collect a neat return pass from Dale Binns and fire in low to the near post forcing Wilkerson to deflect the ball into the side netting.

The Lilywhites then spurned another very presentable opportunity to claw their way back. Craig Pope, who along with the rest of his defensive colleagues had a very impressive afternoon, sent a lofted through ball down the inside right channel. Robbie Simpson sprang the well-drilled offside trap but with only Wilkerson to beat poked his shot wide of goal.

This seemed to deflate City and they allowed Lewes back into the game. After a right wing corner was only partially cleared to the edge of the box the ball fell to Sangere who shot through a sea of legs. A deflection seemed to take the ball away from the stranded Naisbitt and at 2-0 it was game over.

The Lilywhites put in a spirited final ten minutes and carved out one of their best openings of the afternoon when Lee Chaffey met Craig Dobson’s free kick with a powerful downward header but Wilkerson was well positioned to gather.

Gary Roberts will hope that some of his walking wounded will regain their fitness in time for next Saturday’s trip to Eastleigh where the Lilywhites will attempt to get their promotion push back on track.