Lewes lost their first home match since September this afternoon against league leaders Newport County.

Although on paper the 0-3 defeat looks a heavy one, the Rooks showed plenty of battle and spirit and almost provided a shock opening after three minutes when Scott Rogers cleared off the line.

Lewes looked comfortable in the opening 20 minutes, so it was somewhat against the run of play that Newport went ahead after 24 minutes courtesy of Rogers' near post effort.

Four minutes before half time, Ryan Timms tangled with Dave Gilroy in the area, but despite the foul not being malicious, as he was the last man the referee had no alternative but to send the young defender off, less than ten minutes after his introduction as substitute.

Craig Reid took the penalty but Rikki Banks spared Timms' blushes by diving strongly to his left to push the kick away, the third save from four penalties that Banks has faced this season.

Kerry Morgan made up for his miss by doubling County's lead eleven minutes after half time with substitute Charlie Henry sealing the win with seven minutes left, and then hitting the post in stoppage time.