A Michael Malcolm goal four minutes from time helped Lewes to victory at a Hastings United side containing no fewer than five former Rooks players in their starting line-up, and a further two on the bench.

Steve King made one change to the side which had beaten Tooting & Mitcham 3-1 in their previous game, with Albert Jarrett replacing Michael Malcolm in the starting line-up.

Lewes had the better of the play for much of the game, with Ian Draycott sending a close-range shot just wide after an Albert Jarrett cross was not cleared effectively inside the opening few minutes.

The rest of the first half saw the Rooks enjoy the majority of possession and force a number of set-pieces, although the hosts defence dealt fairly well with most of the attacks Lewes put together.

Despite this, Harry Harding was unlucky to see a shot deflected just wide after a Christian Nanetti free-kick was not cleared.

Harding then went close twice in quick succession as the game moved towards half-time, sending a header from a Jarrett cross just wide, before seeing another header from a Nanetti cross hit the post.

The second half started in much the same way, with Scott Manning forced into a last-ditch challenge to prevent Draycott scoring when clean through on goal.

Nanetti was the next player to go close for Lewes, as he cut inside Ross Sutton on the right wing and sent a powerful shot just wide.

Just after the hour mark, the Rooks thought they had taken the lead when substitute Michael Malcolm sent a diving header past Matt Armstrong-Ford in the Hastings goal after Matt Somner flicked on a cross from Lewis Hamilton. Unfortunately, the goal was ruled out for offside.

Lewes were continuing to dominate the game, and saw Harding send a low shot from just inside the penalty area straight at Armstrong-Ford after doing well to beat two home defenders.

The hosts were struggling to get into the game at all, with their only real opening of the entire second half ending with Ben Davisson slicing a shot from the edge of the penalty area comfortably wide after a purposeful run from Jack Dixon.

The game swung into the Rooks’ favour with just under ten minutes remaining, as Hastings striker Zak Attwood received a second yellow card for a high challenge on Harding in the centre-circle.

Lewes made the most of their numerical advantage with just four minutes remaining, as Malcolm scored with a close-range header at the far post after Jarrett did superbly to beat right-back Matt Whitehead and float a cross into the danger area.

The large and vocal contingent of travelling Rooks fans were in raptures and the players were able to see out the final few minutes relatively comfortably, dealing well with several long balls being sent into the penalty area.

Lewes dominated this game from start to finish and had they scored earlier in the game, may well have won by a more comfortable margin. It was a fine team performance with the wide men - Christian Nanetti and Albert Jarrett - standing out in particular.

Hastings United:

Armstrong-Ford, Dixon, Sutton, Carey, Manning, Jirbandey, Barham (Whitehead 64), Crellin, Medlock (Pogue 72), Attwood, Davisson.
Unused Subs: Hopkinson, Gonsalves, Thomson.
Booked: Crellin, Attwood.
Sent off: Attwood.

Lewes:

Banks, Hamilton, Ciardini, Somner (Booth 72), Robinson, Hustwick, Stavrinou, Harding, Draycott (Malcolm 58), Jarrett, Nanetti.
Unused Subs: Kamara.
Booked: None.

Referee: Mr Matt Eva

Tom Harper