The Missioners were given a lesson in finishing on Tuesday evening by big spending title favorites Lewes who ran out 4-1 winners at Church Road, although we did twice hit the woodwork.

In a change from earlier games where Hayes have pressed early on, it was the visitors who started well, possibly as a backlash of losing at home to Braintree on Saturday. The Rooks started so well they took a fourth minute lead courtesy of centre-back Steve Robinson who rose to head an Andy Drury free-kick past the desperate dive of Kevin Davies in the Hayes goal.

Lewes continued to be buoyed by the goal and pressed hard for a second with Kevin Davies almost giving a helping hand, the keeper rushed from his area to kick clear only to plant his clearance at the feet of prolific scorer Paul Booth who this time thankfully mis-hit his shot and Orlando Jeffrey was on hand to block and clear. Davies then pulled off a fine diving stop to deny Paul Kennett from 25 yards, Booth sliding in for the loose ball being flagged for offside.

Booth had a shot well saved by Davies before Gilbert Nuako and Liam Feeney combined down the left to create a chance for Hayes, Michael Bartleys near post header being blocked away by Ian Simpemba. The Rooks were soon on the charge again, Drury fired across the face of goal, the ball glancing away off Feeney who stood guard at the far post before the Missioners had their best chance of the half, sadly Tobi Jinadu was off target having risen to an Adam Logie free-kick.

The second half started much in the same vein as the first, within a minute Booth had a shot blocked that Logie could only clear to Karl Beckford and the winger shot wide. The second was not long in coming though, Booth outpaced Logie on the left before crossing to strike partner Jamie Cade who volleyed home giving Davies no chance.

Hayes seemed to awaken a little after this blow, twice going close, firstly through a Ryan Ashe header that flew across the face of goal and then even closer when Peter Collins squeezed between two defenders only for keeper Paul Wilkerson to touch his shot onto the post with Jeffrey outing the rebound wide.

Lewes were not content to sit on the result as it stood, Booth fed Cade again but this time his volley was off target closely followed by Davies saving a Dean Hooper drive that just evaded the outstretched boot of Booth. Davies again came to the rescue a minute later, tipping a Booth drive around the post, unfortunately this let off was just that as within 60 seconds it was 3-0. Drury picked up the ball on the left, cut inside before unleashing a 25 yard drive that ended up nestling in the bottom corner of Davies' net.

Two minutes later we pulled one back in similar fashion to the Rooks opener as OJ rose above all and sundry to place his header, from a Feeney corner, past the dive of Wilkerson.

With the game inside the final ten minutes a period of 120 seconds and the width of a post were to prove the difference between 3-2 and game on and 4-1, game over. Daniel Dyer and Kieran Knight combined to set up Bartley but although the striker beat Wilkerson the ball came back off the post and a sliding Mark Nicholls shot wide. The Rooks then pushed forwards themselves with Booth again playing the role of provider, this time his cross being volleyed home from close range by Lee Farrell.

A fifth would also have been netted but for the quick reactions of Davies who spread himself in front of Lewis Cook, saving the substitutes effort with his legs.

Report by Kevin Watts.