Allen key: Nelson praises ‘excellent’ midfielder after Lewes win at Canvey Island

A nervy meeting with the relegation-threatened Essex outfit was decided by Allen’s 36th-minute winner, with Lewes resultantly holding their position in 10th in the Isthmian Premier Division.

With four other mid-table sides winning on the same afternoon, the timing of the Rooks’ first win of 2026 - and Allen’s second Lewes goal of the season - was perfect.

“Last week [against Burgess Hill] wasn’t his greatest performance, so it takes the person to have a bit about them to forget that really quickly,” said Nelson.

“He was everywhere. He was back to being the Alfie Allen that we know and love. That’s why he’s here - to drive us forward in games. I thought he was excellent.”

Despite Canvey sitting 20th in the 22-team division prior to kick-off, they boasted an impressive home record of three wins, three draws and one defeat in their previous seven league matches.

Lewes therefore became just the second visiting team since August to win at Park Lane, with their defensive solidity particularly impressive.

Asked by stand-in interviewer and returning striker Danny Bassett after the game what was most important to the win, Nelson said: “Being confident to win our duels.”

Nelson added: “We won a lot of duels in the first half, which allowed us to regain the ball and go and put them under threat.

“In the first half, we had untold chances back-to-back, and it’s what we’ve been working on over the past couple of weeks around sustaining attacks.

“We got our goal from it. It’s a good delivery from Bobby, and then Alfie follows in with a great left-footed finish.”

Lewes now enter a run of games which will decide what they fight for in the season’s late stages.

In the past four seasons, all teams with 40 points have survived.

With Nelson’s side just six points off that target, they should soon be able to look much higher, including at the play-off places which are currently seven points away.

Their next test takes them to 13th-placed Ramsgate this Saturday.

Speaking on the Lewes website this week, Nelson said: “The surface will be different, but it’s still going to be a very tough game. They’ve got a lot of quality and have brought in a lot of new boys recently.”