Tony Reid headed home a late equaliser to preserve Lewes' unbeaten record in division one south.

The recently signed former St Leonards striker bagged his first goal for the Rooks to earn a 1-1 draw at home to Walton and Hersham.

Lewes had started brightly with Gareth Green dribbling into a brilliant position after seven minutes but an expertly timed Alan Dowson tackle prevented him from scoring.

On the 13th minute, Germain Amanuel struck a fierce shot just wide and soon after Joe Clark's free kick found Graham Harper whose sweet volley was well saved by goalkeeper Laurence Batty.

The match really opened up in the second half and both teams produced a series of excellent chances.

Lee Newman came off the bench to miss an open goal on the hour mark. A few minutes later Walton's Francis Dolan hit the underside of the Lewes bar from just four yards.

He made up for it soon after though when he slotted the ball under Ross Standen to rock the Rooks.

Lewes fought back hard but the Walton defence looked secure. With 20 minutes left Harper whipped in an accurate cross for Reid but his glancing header went wide.

With only five minutes left Gedling supplied Reid from the left wing and this time his stooping header hit the net to salvage a point.

Lewes: Standen; Harper, Curnow, Driscoll (Reid 65), Hack, Cable (Thomsett 52), Gedling, Davis, Amanuel (Newman 52), Clark, Green.

Walton & Hersham: Batty; Dolan, O'Donnell, Dowson, Whelan, Laster, Pickett, Harkness, Edgar, Newbery, Rose. Subs: Goggin, Thompson, Blackman.

Referee: Mr C. Rolfe (Eastbourne).

A last minute goal from Simon Mitchell condemned Worthing to a 1-0 defeat in an uninspiring clash at home to Croydon Athletic.

Mitchell, Croydon's liveliest player, made Rebels' defence pay for not marking tightly enough by latching on to a ball over the top to net from six yards.

Worthing, who gave a debut to defender Andy Walker signed from Eastbourne Borough, struggled to test visiting keeper Nathan Healey and the game looked destined to end in a goalless draw before Mitchell struck.

Rebels' best move came ten minutes from time when Mark Knee sent a left foot shot wide from Paul Kennett's pass.

Earlier on, Kennett had headed against the bar for Rebels.