Lewes suffered a blow to their promotion hopes when they lost 4-1 to the rampant league leaders Carshalton.

The hosts were awarded a penalty on nine minutes when Junior Kamara was adjudged to have tripped former St Leonards player Des Boateng but Russell Tanner guessed right to save from Michael Johnson.

However the reprieve was only temporary as two goals put Carshalton in the driving seat.

On 15 minutes Ronnie Green unleashed a swerving effort from just outside the area which gave Tanner no chance and then the lively Boateng wriggled free on the right to score with a low drive beyond Russell Tanner.

Lewes hauled themselves back into the match when Paul Kennett scored with a well placed shot from 20 yards on 55 minutes.

Five minutes later Carshalton restored the two goal margin when Berandeh Oueifio headed home a cross from Johnson.

The home side wrapped up victory on 65 minutes when Johnson pounced after the Rooks defence had only half-cleared a centre from Scott Todd.

Marc Cable headed against the bar and Kamara was denied by an excellent reflex save from Stuart Searle as Lewes mounted a late rally.