11/9/10

Lewes were within six minutes of a deserved point at the Silverlake Stadium this afternoon but went home empty handed.

Eastleigh took an early lead when Jamie Slabber tucked the ball out of Chris Winterton's reach in the eleventh minute.

The Rooks weren't too ruffled though with David Wheeler's immediate response originating from the centre kick, having found its way over to the midfielder's head courtesy of Simon Wormull.

Lewes enjoyed their best half of the season with Wheeler and Rob Gradwell both going close and Lewis Ide's audacious 25 yard header needing all of Eastleigh keeper Gareth Barfoot's fingertips to scoop it out the top corner.

The visitors couldn't keep up the pace in the second half although neither side dominated proceedings. The Spitfires created the better openings as Lewes too often failed to secure the final ball, but as the game looked to be strolling towards a draw, Eastleigh hit back when Chris Holland steered a bullet header direct from a corner to end a cruel afternoon for the Rooks in Hampshire. Photos

Lewes should take comfort from a fine first half performance but will need to produce it for the second half too next week as the Dripping Pan welcomes fifth-placed Chelmsford City for the 125th anniversary game.