A first-half goal from Paul Booth helped Lewes to their third successive league victory in a competitive local derby at Gorings Mead. Photos

Lewes manager Steve King, who named an unchanged side after the Rooks previous victory at home to Billericay Town just two days previously, saw his side start brightly, with Nic Ciardini and Jamie Cade both sending shots over the crossbar during the opening exchanges.

It was therefore not a surprise when the Rooks took a deserved lead after 24 minutes when Paul Booth sent a looping header at the far post from a Ciardini cross over Matthew Armstrong-Ford in the Horsham goal.

Lewes could have doubled their lead just minutes later, when Steve Robinson sent a far-post header from a Hakeem Adelakun free-kick just wide.

Horsham eventuallycame into the game as they showed the form which had seen them win their previous two games. They were unlucky not to equalise around the half-hour mark, when Jahmahl King sent a half-volley at the far post high and wide after getting on the end of a Dane Luchford free-kick.

The Rooks then enjoyed their best spell as Cade sent a close-range effort over after Michael Malcolm appeared to be fouled in the penalty area. Malcolm then saw a powerful shot saved by Armstrong-Ford, before Booth slid an effort from ten yards just over after Ciardini had dispossessed Jake Jacobs on the by-line.

Despite these chances for Lewes, the hosts finished the half strongly and saw Tony Nwachukwu go close twice in quick succession, although Lewes saw Dominic Sterling send a header just over in between these two Horsham chances.

The hosts enjoyed most of the possession at the start of the second half and were unlucky to see Luchford send a shot from a tight angle just wide of the near post.

However, the Rooks continued to look dangerous going forward and nearly extended their lead when substitute Ian Draycott sent a curling effort from just inside the penalty area wide in front of another great away following for Lewes.

Horsham had a lot of possession during a quiet last half an hour or so of the game, with the closest they came to finding an equaliser coming with just under five minutes remaining, as Luchford's looping 30-yard free-kick fell just wide.

This was another good win for the Rooks, against a Horsham side who had won their previous two games. Although the final score was only 1-0, Lewes dominated the majority of the first half and could have added another two or three goals before half-time.

Impressive Lewes performances came from Steve Robinson, Jamie Cade, Nic Ciardini, Michael Malcolm and Paul Booth. Substitute Aaron Watson also deserves credit for a lively performance during the last 25 minutes.

Horsham:

Armstrong-Ford, Salami, King, Jacobs, Asante, Youle (Osuya 85), Luchford, Peauroux (Hutchings 64), Rice (Hider 72), Morris, Nwachukwu.
Unused Subs: Ottley, Westoby.
Booked: Asante, King.

Lewes:

Stuart Robinson, Kamara (Hamilton 51), Steve Robinson, Hustwick, Sterling, Cade (Watson 65), Somner, Adelakun, Ciardini, Malcolm, Booth (Draycott 59).
Unused Subs: Lambu, Lee.
Booked: Somner.

Tom Harper