Birmingham denies Lewes

A 90th minute equaliser by Bognor midfielder Michael Birmingham denied the Rooks what would have been a crucial victory against their main promotion rivals at a very chilly Dripping Pan on Tuesday night.

Lewes manager Jimmy Quinn made three changes from the side which had slipped to a disappointing defeat against Croydon the previous Saturday. Marc Cable's one game suspension meant a recall for Tony Chin, while Junior Kamara replaced Chris Dickson and up front Lee Newman came in for Matt Allen.

Without a league win in four games, Lewes were again disappointing in the first half, and it came as little surprise when Rocks' top scorer Matt Russell put the visitors in front after half an hour. Indeed it could have been worse had Russell Tanner not pulled off a stunning save to deny Birmingham just before the interval.

Fortunately the Rooks were greatly improved after the break, although the pitch bore a closer resemblance to an ice skating rink with every passing minute. A good run and cross by Lee Newman left Julian Curnow with the first clear-cut opening of the match for the home side, but his downward header was comfortably tipped over by Bognor 'keeper Craig Stoner.

However, on the hour mark, a lovely move ended with Paul Kennett releasing Newman through the inside left channel, and the young striker duly converted his 15th goal of the season to bring the sides level.

Quinn made a positive substitution immediately after the equaliser, with Allen joining Newman and Tony Reid up front. The ex Eastbourne Borough striker made an immediate impression, troubling the Bognor defence with his pace and lobbing just wide after another incisive through ball by Kennett.

Bognor had offered very little since the interval, and their sizeable contingent of travelling supporters must have been fearing the worst when Lewes took the lead with just nine minutes remaining. Danny Davis curled a free kick beyond the far post, and this time Stoner had no chance of keeping out Curnow's header.

A vital three points was within touching distance, and indeed Allen so nearly made the game safe when a clearance by Stoner ricocheted off him and bounced just wide. However, with time running out, Rowlands was given too much time to measure a cross, and Birmingham glanced his header wide of Tanner to secure a point for Jack Pearce's men.

Given that the Rooks had also conceded a last gasp equaliser at Horsham on Boxing Day, the manner in which the two points were thrown away will have been very difficult for Quinn to stomach.

Nevertheless his side remain in second place despite going through a rather sticky patch recently, and the prospect of Ryman Premier Division football at the Pan next season is still a very real possibility.

LEWES: Tanner, Harris, Kamara, Kennett, Hack, Chin, Curnow, Davis, Reid (Venables 75), Taylor (Allen 60), Newman (Soutar 83). MOM: Stuart Hack