A very impressive performance was not enough to help Lewes progress into the semi-finals of the Sussex Senior Cup, as they suffered injury-time heartbreak in a local derby for the second time this month.PHOTOS

Simon Wormull made two changes to the side which had lost 5-1 at Margate in their previous match, with debutant Pawel Szelemej and Max Howell replacing Rikki Banks and Paul Booth in the starting line-up.

The Rooks started the game brightly and should have taken the lead inside the first few minutes, when Max Howell sent a shot into the side-netting after the ball found its way to him following a Christian Nanetti cut-back.

Eastbourne Borough looked dangerous during their rare attacks though, and should have taken the lead when Matt Crabb sent a half-volley from just inside the penalty area over the crossbar after a clever flick from Ben Watson.

Lewes then enjoyed arguably their best spell of the game, with both Michael Malcolm and Ian Draycott seeing close-range efforts deflected over the crossbar.

Malcolm then went even closer twice in quick succession, first seeing a header from a Malvin Kamara cross hit the foot of the post, before seeing a shot cleared off the line by Darren Baker after capitalising on a mix-up between visiting goalkeeper Clark Masters and Gary Charman.

Eastbourne started the second half by putting Lewes under a bit of pressure for the first time in the game, with Max Hustwick forced to clear the ball from inside the six-yard box after Watson had beaten Pawel Szelemej to a low cross from Crabb.

Despite an improved second-half display from the visitors, it was still a surprise when they took the lead after 56 minutes after Crabb lobbed Szelemej from 35 yards having intercepted a throw from the debutant goalkeeper.

The Rooks were immediately back on the front foot after going behind though, and saw the impressive Harry Harding have a 35-yard half-volley saved well by Masters.

Lewes were then handed an excellent opportunity to equalise just after the hour mark, when Nanetti was fouled by Masters inside the penalty area. Substitute Paul Booth sent Masters the wrong way from the spot to draw the Rooks level.

The game was becoming an end-to-end contest, and Eastbourne nearly took the lead again immediately, when a left-foot effort from Watson came back off the post.

The Rooks continued to cause the visitors problems with their impressive passing football, and saw Malcolm have a goalbound shot superbly blocked by Sam Cole, before Booth sent a far-post header onto the roof of the net after a poor attempted punch by Masters.

During the final ten minutes, Eastbourne put Lewes under a bit more pressure and began to have the better of the play.

They should have taken the lead with just under ten minutes remaining, as a low cross from Steve Brinkhurst was sent over the crossbar from close range by a combination of Crabb and substitute Carl Rook.

Despite playing so well for long periods of the game, Lewes conceded a second goal in the third minute of injury time. Watson was the scorer, as he capitalised on an under-hit clearance by Nic Ciardini to finish from 12 yards and knock the Rooks out of the Sussex Senior Cup.

This was a very impressive performance from Lewes, with the only disappointment being that they were unable to take one or two of their chances in the first half. If the Rooks continue to play like this, they should certainly start picking up positive results in the league again soon.

Impressive Lewes performances came from Steve Robinson, Max Hustwick, Harry Harding and Christian Nanetti.

Lewes:

Szelemej, Kamara (Leach 64), Ciardini, Somner, Robinson, Hustwick, Howell (Schaaf 74), Harding, Malcolm, Draycott (Booth 53), Nanetti.
Unused Subs: Wormull.
Booked: None.

Eastbourne Borough:

Masters, Baker, Cole, Charman, Austin (Smart 35), Rowe, Brinkhurst, Johnson, Watson, Hart (Rook 61), Crabb.
Unused Subs: Hutchinson, Strevett, Treleaven.
Booked: Johnson.

Referee: Mr D Treleaven

Tom Harper