07/3/09

Lewes slumped to their 13th consecutive league defeat against Mansfield Town today, but the 1-0 result belies a much-improved performance.

In a characteristic display, the Rooks battled well and for long periods matched Town who struggled to make the breakthrough.

The Mansfield fans were getting restless as the game entered the second half, but with the home side turning up the pressure, Rikki Banks came out to meet Nathan Arnold and with the goal unguarded, the midfielder was able to lob the ball into an empty net in the 70th minute.

David Wheeler saw his shot saved by keeper Alan Marriott a few minutes later but despite sub Stefan Cox testing the keeper late on, Lewes' hard work was in vain to prevent another defeat.

Despite the gloom though, there was a touching moment when the match announcer read out the day's attendance (2434), with the 22 Lewes fans receiving applause and a standing ovation from the Mansfield fans, whilst at the end of the match, Mansfield manager David Holdsworth directed his players to stand side by side with the Lewes players to applaud the away fans.

Lewes' next Blue Square Premier engagement is on Tuesday night when they travel to Nene Park to take on Rushden and Diamonds in a re-arranged fixture from February.