Club news
Written by: Stuart
Picture with thanks from Stuart Tree (more can be found here)
Lewes dropped out of the play-off places after a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Corinthian Casuals, reports Tom Harper.
Tony Russell made two changes to the side that beat Carshalton Athletic 2-1 in their previous game, with Bradley Pritchard and Rhys Murrell-Williamson, making his second debut after returning to the club last week, replacing Casey Pettit and Deshane Dalling in the starting line-up.
The hosts started brightly and saw Benjamin Cheklit send a volley back across goal just wide after good play down the right.
The Rooks were finding it difficult to build any momentum as they looked to continue their recent good form, with the home defence dealing comfortably with any pressure they were put under.
Lewes gradually began to pose more of a threat as the half progressed though, as Rhys Murrell-Williamson saw a teasing cross-shot from the right evade both Bradley Pritchard and Joe Taylor on its way past the far post.
Casuals always looked a threat in the final third themselves, and Lewis Carey was forced into a fine save to keep out a close-range Emmanuel Mensah volley.
Emmanuel Agboola in the home goal was called into action himself minutes later, denying Murrell-Williamson with his feet after a sharp exchange of passes with Taylor Maloney on the edge of the area.
The hosts thought they had taken the lead in the closing stages of the half, but saw Alfie Bendle flagged offside as he converted a cross from the right.
They then saw Kieron Cadogan shoot wide just before the break at the end of an incisive passing move with only Carey to beat as they looked to capitalise on an impressive spell of pressure.
The better chances continued to fall to Casuals in the second half, with Cadogan seeing a deflected effort hit the angle of post and bar on its way over.
The resulting corner was taken short before being delivered into the box and met by the head of Jack Strange, who saw his effort superbly tipped over the bar by Carey.
Cheklit was left unmarked from this corner, but could only guide his header onto the bar before the ball was eventually cleared.
Lewes were unable to play their usual passing game as the half progressed, with the hosts pressing high up the pitch and ensuring any attacks were snuffed out quickly and effectively.
The game petered out in the closing stages, the final opportunity falling to Lewes, with Michael Klass seeing a volley from just inside the area helped round the post by Agboola.
With the Rooks fans behind the goal expecting a corner, the referee inexplicably awarded a goal-kick and this was the final action of a game that the Rooks would have hoped to win but could well have lost on the day, had it not been for an impressive performance from Carey.
Lewes will hope to return to winning ways when they welcome Worthing to the Pan next Saturday, kick-off at 3pm.
For tickets: Lewes FC tickets
Corinthian Casuals: Agboola, Tucker, Ojemen, Thompson, Strange, Bolton (Diallo 72), Bendle, Mensah, Sitch (Adelakun 90), Cheklit, Cadogan.
Unused Subs: Djemali, Mills, Pinney.
Booked: Bolton.
Lewes: Carey, Spencer, Carlse, Salmon (Pettit 46), Weaire, Klass, Maloney (McLeod 75), Pritchard, Murrell-Williamson (Tanner 75), De-Graft, Taylor.
Unused Subs: Yao, Hall.
Booked: Taylor
Attendance: 351