Goals: McGrath (pen) 10’; Rihoy 73’ – Culley 38’; Dixon 65’ (pen), 79’; Okoh 83’.

A feisty Sunday afternoon at Footes Lane saw Guernsey on the wrong end of a 4-2 scoreline for the second consecutive game.

Three soft penalties were a major part of the story as the Green Lions led then levelled before two stunning strikes from the visitors late on secured three points for a strong, physical Lewes side.

The Rooks meant business and controlled the early exchanges in terms of possession. Lloyd Cottin skewed a volley well high and wide and Duncan Culley headed past the post after the Sarnians had surrendered possession too easily, all in the first few minutes.

But GFC’s first attack in the 10th minute brought them the opening goal, albeit in fortunate circumstances as referee Lee Brennan – who didn’t have his finest game – deemed that Marc McGrath was fouled as he went to ground between two defenders. No players appealed but a spotkick was given and ‘Crusher’ stepped up himself to calmly slot it into the bottom right-hand corner.

Addison stood strong to beat away a powerful distance effort from Lloyd Harrington five minutes later, and in the 17th minute the visitors were gifted the chance of an equaliser with another questionable penalty decision.

Jamie Dodd had stepped in between Jamie Brotherton and the ball as the Rooks’ top scorer headed for goal. Brotherton ran into the back of Dodd and hit the deck, with Breen again deciding to award a penalty. Brotherton took it himself but sashed the crossbar with his effort – and Ronnie Conlon looped the rebound over with his head.

Addison saved well again from Dixon’s low shot from distance but the Green Lions were unable to keep the away side in the 38th minute. The defence failed to clear their lines and Brotherton put in a low cross. Culley was able to bundle the ball in from a yard out.

Lewes would have been in front at the break if it hadn’t been for Addison. He added to his collection of saves by diving to his right brilliantly to palm away Conlon’s volley from close range – a fantastic flying stop. Conlon also curled wide before half-time.

Guernsey won the ball back instantly from kick-off in the second half and Paris Pereira exchanged passes with McGrath, but the young forward slipped as he went to shoot and the ball rolled harmlessly to Rooks stopper Chirs Winterton. Three minutes later, Dixon let fly from distance but it whistled narrowly over.

Loaring had a similar rising drive at the other end that flew wide before the Guernsey defence threw themselves at the ball in their own area to make two vital goalline clearances in a scramble that left Dodd and Thomas Dodds requiring treatment.

Rihoy’s powerful effort from 25 years was a comfortable height from Winterton to hold, and five minutes later the referee took centre-stage again with another controversial penalty decision. Culley hooked the ball towards goal and clashed with Addison, but Brennan deemed it another foul. Brotherton was off the pitch, so Jack Dixon took the spotkick, coolly finding the bottom corner for 2-1 on 65 minutes.

But the Green Lions were back on level terms within 10 minutes after a good team move. Substitute Jacob Fallaize won a flick-on for McGrath, who played the ball in from the left-hand side perfectly for the run of Rihoy. The number seven showed brilliant footwork to shuffle around Winterton and finish.

Parity did not last long though. Guernsey surrendered the ball far too cheaply in midfield, but the defence could do nothing about Dixon’s stunning strike that was still rising as it hit the net.

The Green Lions were required to come from behind again and they nearly did as returning substitute – after two months out with injury – Robbie Legg headed at goal from point-blank range, but Winterton made a brilliant reaction stop.

The Rooks keeper made another important stop at his near post from Rihoy just two minutes later, and that would have a big impact as the visitors countered from the resulting corner and made the game safe on 83 minutes. 

Substitute Chukwunweike Okoh ran than ball almost the whole length of the field, beating Angus Mackay and Dodd before curling the ball past Addison from the edge of the area. It was another brilliant strike, but the referee failed to punish the visitors for their clearly provoking celebration right into front of the Guernsey bench.

Dixon fired narrowly wide from far out, and Mackay had the game’s final chance as his dipping volley was touched over by Winterton.

But that was all the action and the Green Lions were left to rue a second home defeat of the season that has left them 19th in the table with another tough home game in the shape of high-flyers Tooting & Mitcham United on Wednesday.

The rest of the weekend’s Ryman South results were as follows: Corinthian-Casuals 2-1 Herne Bay, Dorking Wanderers 0-1 Three Bridges, Faversham Town 2-0 Carshalton Athletic, Godalming Town 1-6 Walton Casuals, Greenwich Borough 1-2 Chipstead, Horsham 1-1 Hastings United, Molesey 2-2 Cray Wanderers, Sittingbourne 1-0 East Grinstead Town, Whyteleafe 1-2 Ramsgate.

Lewes: Chris Winterton, Steven Brinkhurst, Matthew George, Lloyd Harrington, Stacey Freeman ©, Lloyd Cotton, Duncan Culley (Andbe Uade 85’), Ronnie Conlon (Jonte Smith 77’), Jamie Brotherton (Chukwunweike Okoh 55’), Jack Dixon, Charles Coppola. Not used: James Hammond, Ghassimu Sow.

Booked: Harrington, Dixon.