Lewes earned their place in the draw for the second qualifying round of the FA Trophy sponsored by Carlsberg after an industrious win over Cray Wanderers.PHOTOS

The game was an entertaining and closely fought contest, which was to be expected from clubs who are currently 5th and 6th in the Ryman Premier, and both sides had their chances to make their mark.

The first of these fell to Lewes, but Paul Booth’s nod-on was too heavy for Michael Malcolm, allowing Cray keeper Andy Walker to snuff out the danger.

Both players combined a few minutes later when Booth, under pressure from Walker, managed to steer a pass to Malcolm at the far post but he pulled his shot across the face of goal.

The Rooks thought they had taken a 24th minute lead when the ball found its way into the Cray net from Christian Nanaetti’s free kick, but Booth, who got the last touch after Malcolm’s initial effort was saved, was given offside.

Defensive discipline from Lewes caught a number of Cray attacks offside but the Wands had their best chance before the break when Whitnell latched onto a through ball but shot wide.

Lewes went ahead two minutes after the restart when Booth capitalised on some defensive indecision and volleyed neatly past Walker to make a difficult finish look easy.

Cray were far more organised in the second half, with interchange play from Whitnell, Lewis Perkins and Jack Clark causing problems for the Rooks defence.

The visitors got the goal the deserved in the 64th minute when Clark’s neat play allowed Whitnell the space to slot the ball between Lewes keeper Liam Mitchell and the post.

The hosts had a penalty claim turned down when Malcolm was fouled in the area, but the linesman who initially flagged for the offence, lowered his flag before the referee could see it, angering the Lewes bench and supporters alike.

Shortly after, Malcolm was clean through but pulled his shot across goal as the game teetered on a knife-edge, but it was Lewes who were able to strike the decisive blow in the 77th minute when Malcolm’s cross was met by Booth at close range to head the Rooks back into the lead.

Seven minutes from time, Cray had a great chance to equalise when Sam Long’s dinking run past three defenders saw him play in Whitnell but as the supporters held their breath, the ball bobbled inches wide of the post.

Stoppage time saw the introduction of Under 18s striker Bayan Fenwick for his first team debut, just reward for his prolific season so far with the youth side.

Lewes:

Mitchell, Hamilton, Ciardini, Somner, Robinson, Hustwick, Noble, Nicholas, Malcolm (Fenwick 92), Booth (Draycott 91), Nanetti (Cade 80)
Unused: Sterling, Constantine
Booked: Somner

Cray Wanderers:

Walker, Long, McLeod, Day, Willy, Sterling, Whitnell, Saunders, Perkins, Phillips, Clark (Bremner 80).
Unused: Humphreys, Coleman, Obago, Hall
Booked: McLeod, Day

Ref: M Eva

James Boyes