A patient performance from Lewes on Sunday saw them ease past Crystal Palace 2-0 with second half goals from Holly Grogan and Tammy Waine.

The result leaves the Rooks 10 points clear at the top of the South East Combination League although it could go down to the wire as they now face second, third and fourth place teams during their final five games.

A rather stop start first half saw Lewes dominate whilst hosts Palace played a counter attacking game more suited to their pacey and direct forwards. Kelly Newton saw her shot sail narrowly wide, followed by what was believed to be an attempt at a diving header but the skipper ended up as a face plant into the ground.

A cross from Tammy Waine just evaded her onrushing team mates and Clare Trafford's chip skimmed the bar as Lewes piled on the pressure.

Palace's best chance came from a set piece after they were awarded a rather generous free kick on the edge of the area, which subsequently sailed over the bar, and despite forcing several corners they were unable to force Lewes keeper Trish Gower into action.

Some brave defending in the final minutes of the first half by Palace denied Naomi Cole and Grogan and the game remained scoreless at the break.

Lewes were quickest out of the blocks in the second half and they quickly took a deserved lead when Grogan bundled home Waine's cross on 47 minutes.

Shortly afterwards Trafford played in Katie Baker and the winger's cross was met by a fine header from Player of the Match Waine for 2-0.

Substitute Kirstie Spice almost made an immediate impact but saw her header hit the post, whilst Cole blasted a decent chance over the bar and Waine's driven cross evaded everyone.

With 2-0 a precarious lead Lewes were indebted to a perfectly timed challenge from Stacey Baker to deny Palace's speedy striker a clear run on goal which could have set up a nervy final few minutes for the Rooks.