PERNTREOU SCREAMER PAVES WAY FOR ROOKS

LEWES avenged their defeat against Worthing earlier in the season with a thrilling victory over their nine-man Sussex rivals.

The hosts started well but momentum swung when referee Tristan Greaves decided to show Ricky Aguiar a straight red for a foul on the edge of the box.

Five minutes later the visitors took the lead with a goal of the season contender from James Hammond whose shot from the halfway line caught Kleton Perntreou off his line and crashed in off the bar.

Worthing levelled in the 35th minute when Pearce curled a free-kick into the top corner, but Lewes retook the lead in first-half stoppage time through Charlie Coppola’s deflected strike.

The Rooks extended their lead to 3-1 in the 53rd minute when Perntreou saved from Kieron Pamment but Luke Blewden was quickest to tap in the rebound.

Jalen Jones headed in Jasper Pattenden’s corner on home debut to pull a goal back for Worthing with 20 minutes to go, but Lewes restored their two-goal lead when Callum Overton blasted into the roof of the net.

There was still time for more late drama when the hosts were awarded a penalty and Darren Budd was shown a second yellow for dissent. Pearce converted the spot-kick to steal the points. STAR MAN: Jalen Jones (Lewes) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★