Kwan Browne had no complaints after seeing his East Grinstead side knocked off top spot in National League division two.

A late goal by Ben Payne salvaged a point for Grinstead as the Sussex derby at Lewes ended 2-2.

While Lewes could reflect on a much improved display, a frustrated Browne was left to rue what might have been.

The Grinstead player-coach said: "We had 80 per cent of possession in the second half but just could not convert.

"We had 12 short corners to their one but did not make them count.

"Fair play to Lewes because they defended well in numbers. It was frustrating but that is part of the game."

It could have been better for Lewes, who were attempting to bounce back from a sorry 2-1 reverse at lowly Leek the week before.

They led 2-1 with five minutes to go thanks to Luke Hurle's second goal of the season and manager Paul Benoy was delighted with the performance.

He said: "We were disappointed not to have beaten them but we were happy with 2-2.

"It was much improved from the previous week. If we can sustain that we should be in the top four or five before the end of the year."

Grinstead made the better start, forcing three short corners in the first ten minutes, but it was visiting keeper Giles Dakin who was forced to make the first save of the contest from Lewes's Carl Wright on 12 minutes.

From then on Lewes enjoyed the better of the first half and went ahead on 23 minutes when Wright broke from a Grinstead short corner and set up Sean Parker for an excellent finish.

With Alistair Boyse pulling the strings in midfield, Lewes had further chances through Hurle, Wright and Parker but they were hit by an equaliser on the stroke of half time when Dilette Gilkes scored from open play after a fine run from fellow Trinidad and Tobago international Dwain Quanchan.

The second half was a different story as Grinstead poured forward but they were thwarted by some solid defending from Will Champness, Adrian Bettesworth and Simon Letchford.

The impressive Nick van Tromp played his part with a fine marking job on Browne and the tactics seemed to have worked when Boyse and Marnix Achterberg set up Hurle to put Lewes ahead on 65 minutes.

However, two minutes later Payne responded with a terrific reverse stick shot from a free hit to ensure a share of the spoils.

Benoy said: "We looked like we were up for it from the start. It was completely different from the Leek game the week before. It shows we can do it if we get a bit of passion and pride in our play."

Browne was disappointed when Gilkes had an effort from a short corner controversially disallowed with the score at 1-0.

He said: "It could have been a turning point but that is all part of the game.

"Although they defended in numbers we were still able to force 12 short corners which is pleasing. We just couldn't convert.

"These sort of games is what the league is all about."