The big defender netted ten minutes from time as Lewes edged out third-placed Eastleigh. Victory sent the Rooks four points clear of rivals Eastbourne Borough with a game in hand.

A ding-dong affair saw Steven King's men come from behind to lead with goals from the excellent Steve Robinson and Paul Booth only for Andy Forbes to draw the visitors level.

Former Lewes player Peter Adeniyi was then sent off before Simpemba struck. King said: "It was a gritty, determined performance.

"I knew it would be a tough game and I said before it would not be the end of the world if we drew. We worked ever so hard and it is a cracking result."

Lewes made one change from the side that won 3-1 at Cambridge City with Dale Binns returning at the expense of Jamie Cade, who dropped to the bench.

The visitors, who are managed by former Albion striker Ian Baird, included new signing Kevin James, the former Crawley forward. James was a lively performer in a tense opening period and played a part as the deadlock was broken on 13 minutes.

Anthony Riviere collected a pass from James on the edge of the area and made space for himself before drilling a low shot into the corner of the net. The Rooks took just three minutes to draw level as Simon Wormull's free-kick from the left found centre back Robinson at the far post to fire home his second goal in as many games.

Matt Groves wasted a golden chance to put the hosts ahead on 23 minutes when he delayed his shot too long after being set up by strike partner Booth. But the Rooks did not have to wait long for another goal. On 29 minutes Binns hoisted over a high cross from the right which put Matthews in trouble. The keeper could only touch the ball on to the crossbar and it rebounded out for Booth to volley home his 32nd goal of the season.

It had been a really hard fought first half with no inch given by either side. Eastleigh won 3-0 at home to Lewes earlier in the season and had not lost in four previous visits to the Dripping Pan so King's men knew they still had a lot of work to do.

The game had undercurrents of hostility and it threatened to boil over five minutes into the half when Binns clashed with James, resulting in two players from each side being booked.

One of them, James, almost made it 2-2 two minutes later with a stinging shot which was held by Michael Jordan.

The visitors had been threatening to get on top and they drew level on 67 minutes when James delivered a dangerous cross from the right which Forbes met with a first time shot past Jordan.

Eastleigh's joy turned to despair four minutes later when former Lewes player Adeniyi was sent off for an alleged headbutt in a melee which followed a bad tackle by Adam Everitt on Andy Drury.

Lewes made full use of their man advantage when Simpemba restored their lead with ten minutes remaining. Wormull's corner from the left caused problems and Simpemba bicycle-kicked through a crowd of players.

Drury then threatened a fourth with an effort which curled just past the far post but there was still plenty of defending to do as the referee played six minutes of injury time.

Lewes: Jordan, Hamilton, Barness, Wormull, Robinson, Simpemba, Drury, Holloway, Groves, Booth, Binns. Subs: Legge, Conroy, Barr, Sigere, Cade.

Eastleigh: Matthews, Chris Piper, Everitt, Murray, Harris, Byles, Adeniyi, Andrew Forbes, Sales, Rivere, Kevin James. Subs: Simpson, Howells, Hann, Hughes, McBean.

Referee: J Magill.

Attendance: 720