'˜More threat up front needed'

The hosts, one of the division sponsors favourites for promotion this season, showed their strength in the first half that culminated in a goal from former Rook Leroy Griffiths.

But a Lewes side that was missing four players through injury and illness had made a decent start and could have taken the lead from a Tom Murphy effort that was drilled low just past the Staines keeper’s far post.

But the hosts then imposed themselves on the game and Chris Winterton made a save from Richard Butler while Simon Jackson and Michael Kamara both shot over the bar.

Kamara’s was a particularly glaring miss – but it counted for nothing seconds later when Griffiths scored the only goal of the game. The ex-Rook collected the ball just outside the area and calmly turned before coolly side-footing home inside Winterton’s left hand post.

Rooks skipper Anthony Barness had possibly the clearest chance in the game just before the break when the ball dropped to him about 12 yards out to the right of the six-yard box but his well hit shot flashed just the wrong side of the far post. Lewes improved after the break without truly looking like a team possession much of a goal threat. Andy Pearson’s tame shot from 30 yards out was possibly the Rooks’ only effort on target.

An upbeat Steve Ibbitson said: “It was a difficult game. We knew they were a good side and they move the ball well. In the first half we were getting a few problems with their two wide players tucking in and the two wingers attack well and the goal came from that.

“They had a bit of a threat which we didn’t.

“It’s early days but we need to get more of a threat up front.

“But we have a few players to come back as well and they will make a difference.”

ROOKS: Winterton; Barness, Pearson, Manning, Hamilton (sub Cobbs 65); Murphy (sub Hopkinson 47), Wormull, Breach, Ide, Sutton; Gradwell.