An injury-time equaliser from Kery Kedze saw a below-par Lewes drop two points at home in the Sussex Derby. PHOTOS

Steve King named an unchanged side after Saturday’s draw at the Metropolitan Police, with Nic Ciardini returning to the squad after serving a one-match ban on New Year’s Eve.

It was a quiet start to the game, with neither side creating any goalscoring opportunities in the opening exchanges.

Horsham had the first chance of the game around the 20-minute mark, when Callum McGeehan was unable to connect sufficiently with a downward header from an inswinging corner and Malvin Kamara scrambling the ball away from goal.

The visitors were causing the Lewes defence one or two problems from set-pieces, with Callum Dunne sending a powerful header straight at Rikki Banks from another corner.

Horsham’s direct style of play nearly led to them taking the lead soon after, when Ray Freeman hooked a long diagonal ball back into the six-yard box where it bounced and was eventually put just wide by George Landais.

It was therefore a surprise when the Rooks took the lead after 36 minutes. Harry Harding was the scorer, as he finished calmly from six yards after a good run and cut-back from Christian Nanetti following a good passing move in the Lewes midfield.

The visitors started the second half brightly, with Kery Kedze sending an audacious long-range half-volley just over the crossbar and Rikki Banks having to be alert to keep out a powerful shot from Yinka Salami at his near post.

Lewes should really have doubled their lead just after the hour mark, when Steve Robinson sent a far-post header from an Albert Jarrett free-kick just over the crossbar from close range.

Jarrett was beginning to have more of an influence on the game, as his looping cross saw Malcolm fail to connect with the ball in front goal with an attempted bicycle kick, before the same combination ended with Malcolm seeing his shot when clean through on goal saved by the feet of Michael Hunter and Nanetti blasting the rebound wide of what was essentially an open goal.

The Rooks were given an excellent opportunity to double their lead after 72 minutes, as Harding was brought down by Hunter in the penalty area as he chased a through-ball. A couple of minutes of heated discussion between Harding, Nanetti and Jarrett followed over who would take the penalty, with the latter finally given the responsibility.

Unfortunately for Lewes, Jarrett saw his penalty well saved by Hunter low down to his left to keep Horsham in the game.

Horsham very nearly punished the Rooks for this missed opportunity, as the dangerous Kedze sent another long-range effort just wide.

The introduction of Nic Ciardini for Jarrett after 77 minutes saw Lewes become more of a threat going forward, with the substitute sending a header from a cross by the impressive Kamara just over the crossbar.

Soon after, Nanetti saw a curling shot from the right-hand side of the penalty area superbly tipped round the post by Hunter after beating Liam Flanigan to a high ball from Harding.

Three minutes of injury time were indicated, and the Rooks spent most of these deep in the Horsham half, with Nanetti being fouled on several occasions as he looked to run the clock down.

Despite this, there was time for one last attack from Horsham and when the ball found its way to Kedze on the edge of the penalty area, he sent a low shot across Banks and into the bottom corner to salvage a point for the club bottom of the table.

This was a very disappointing result for Lewes, although Horsham deserved a point for the way they hung in there and took the chance which came their way at a crucial period.

Impressive Lewes performances came from Malvin Kamara, Steve Robinson, Max Hustwick and Christian Nanetti.

Lewes:

Banks, Kamara, Hamilton, Somner, Robinson, Hustwick, Stavrinou, Harding, Malcolm, Jarrett (Ciardini 77), Nanetti.
Unused Subs: Booth, Draycott.
Booked: Harding.

Horsham:

Hunter, Salami (Jacobs 90), Flanigan, Dunne, McGeehan, Varley, Kedze, Peauroux, Landais, Diedhiou (Hutchings 84), Freeman (Nwachukwu 55).
Unused Subs: Wilkins, Sanashee.
Booked: Hunter, Flanigan, Nwachukwu.

Referee: Mr M Webb

Tom Harper