Lewes eventually overcame a spirited Brentwood Town at the Dripping Pan on Sunday to run out 7-3 winners.

Despite goals from Lel Smith, Tammy Waine (2) and Naomi Cole, Lewes were pegged back to 3-2 and 4-3 before a strong final half hour was capped with goals from Holly Grogan and Jo Gardiner (2) to make the points safe.

Smith’s thumping header from Waine’s corner gave Lewes a deserved lead after they started brightest, and Waine was on hand to finish smartly after good work from Grogan and then volley home Gardiner’s cross for 3-0.

Despite struggling to impose themselves for sustained periods, Brentwood were undaunted and showed that they are a good passing side, carving out several half chances before grabbing a goal out of nothing with a long range effort that a back-pedalling Layla Young could only palm onto the underside of the crossbar and in.

Shortly afterwards Brentwood scored a header from a corner in almost a carbon copy of Smith’s goal to go in just one behind at the break.

Naomi Cole restored Lewes’ two goal cushion with a delicious curling effort from Clare Trafford’s layoff but Brentwood were quick to respond with a neat finish to stay in touch, and were only denied a fourth just minutes later by Holly Hinshelwood’s covering challenge.

Grogan then put the game beyond Brentwood’s reach with a 30 yard pile driver from Trafford’s layoff, a goal worthy of winning any game, and Gardiner collected Trafford’s through ball and finished smartly for the sixth before having the final say when she tapped home after Grogan’s shot was parried.

Following Tooting and Mitcham’s withdrawal from the league Lewes now sit top with eight wins from eight, ahead of Norwich City on goal difference and with one game in hand.