Back in the running

LEWES are right back in the race for the championship after a last gasp win at Horsham.

A penalty awarded against winger Gary Charman in the 88th minute was converted by Lee Newman, giving the Rooks a huge boost as the season reaches its climax. Lewes are now just four points behind Horsham with two games in hand.

Jimmy Quinn was delighted to have his teams destiny back in their own hands. 'We needed to win and it's back in our hands,' he said. 'There's a long way to go, I didn't think it was going to be decided today, if it had ended as a draw it would have still been wide open. Seven games is an awful lot to go.'

Horsham manager John Maggs believes it will go down to the wire now. 'It'll probably go to the last day, which isn't great for me, I'd have preferred to have a bit of breathing space. Lewes will drop points somewhere, and if we keep going there's still everything to play for for us.'

As a spectacle the match was a disappointment, with the weight of the occasion weighing heavily upon both side. With so little between the two sides, every player was aware that one mistake could decide the match.

Jimmy Quinn went with an attacking 3-4-3 formation, Peter Brackley and Lee Newman playing either side of Sam Francis, Junior Kamara was switched to central midfield with Ross Venables wide on the right.

Lewes had the best of the few openings in the first half. Francis was denied by a last ditch tackle by Eddie French, and Brackley hooked a volley over. Lee Camey, who was the best player on the pitch, hit a free kick just wide.

The only clear chance in open play came in the 43rd minute. Brackley and Francis combined to release Newman, who was denied by a superb saving challenge from Ian Chatfield.

Ten minutes into the second half there were big Horsham appeals for hand ball, claims which were ignored by Clive Penton. The only opportunities being created were half chances, and it was looking like a certain draw.

Then, with just two minutes remaining Ross Venables fired in a cross which struck the hand of Charman. Both managers, unsurprisingly had very different views of the incident. Quinn felt it was the right decision. 'He raised his hands in the box. You can't blame the ref. It's well known Clive's the best in Sussex and he got it right.' Maggs disagreed strongly, and he believed the linesman John Coleman had made the decision. 'There's one official there who possibly cost us the league, we're into the last two minutes and I know the man's thinking let's add a bit of drama to the game, and that's gone against us.'

Charman's afternoon got even worse as he was sent off two minutes later for a two footed lunge on Stuart Hock.

So four weeks and twelve games to go, who's your money on? Mine's with Lewes, just.

Lewes: Standen, Cable, Thomsett, Hack, Venables, Clark, McCallum, Kamara (Palmer 78), Brackley (Curnow 88), Newman, Francis (More 73). MoM: Paul Thomsett.