Steven King has told his misfiring Lewes players only hard work will get them out of their recent slump.

A season that promised so much is fast fading into a mid-table finish.

A 3-0 loss at home to lowly Eastleigh stretched the Rooks' disappointing run to one win, five draws and three defeats in their last nine league games.

No one doubts the ability of the squad King has assembled at the Dripping Pan but the manager insists that alone is not enough to be successful.

He said: "There aren't teams with our ability in this league but unless you work hard then it counts for nothing.

"I know if I put any of these players on the transfer list people would be on the phone to me within an hour.

"I am not worried about the quality in the squad but they have got to work a lot harder.

"Everybody knows we are a decent side but at the moment it is not happening for us."

King gave debuts to former England under-21 international Dean Gordon at left-back and goalkeeper Steve Williams, who was signed last week from Wycombe.

Lewes's neat football was attractive to watch but they squandered some golden opportunities going forward and were punished for sloppy mistakes at the back.

King said: "We had four or five great chances in the game which we failed to take. Paul Booth had three of them, one of which it was harder to miss than score.

"At the back we made three mistakes and they scored three goals.

"We have made it to the play-offs for the last two years and I knew it would be hard to do it three years on the trot.

"It is a better division this year and we have not been helped by injuries - we haven't had our strikeforce for two months - but there is no point looking for excuses. We have got to work hard and go back to basics."

Lewes fell behind early on when James Brown headed home Darren Wheeler's cross. Booth should have levelled before the break but scooped the ball over the bar.

Andy Forbes got clear to lob Williams for the visitors' second and Forbes made it 3-0 with a header.

To add insult to injury, Lewes substitute Steve Robinson was sent off for a professional foul with five minutes remaining.

Ironically, Lewes face a return match away to Eastleigh tomorrow.

Bognor gave themselves some breathing space above the strugglers with a 1-0 home win over bottom club Bedford.

The Rocks rarely sparkled but skipper Stuart Tuck secured three important points six minutes from time when he headed home Richard Hudson's corner.

Albion midfielder Scott Chamberlain had a solid debut while Tuck and Chris Breach held things together nicely at the back but Rocks missed Luke Nightingale, who was unavailable for personal reasons, and the suspended Michael Birmingham.

Coach Darin Killpartrick said: "It was a marvellous three points but a disappointing performance - we were below average.

"Bedford made it hard for us but we didn't produce enough quality in the vital areas. But if we are to stay clear of danger we have to beat the sides below us so in that respect it was a good victory."

Substitute Pat Harding earned Eastbourne Borough a deserved 1-1 draw at Hayes with a second-half equaliser.

Harding had already had a goal disallowed when he finished off good work by Jay Lovett and fellow substitute Scott Ramsay six minutes from time.

Liam Feeney had given the hardworking hosts a 74th-minute lead but Borough boss Garry Wilson felt his side deserved their point.

He said: "It was a good point. They set their stall out to frustrate us and they battled for every ball."

Wilson picked out the contribution of defender Mark Pullan and admits Harding's goal has given him food for thought.

He added: "Pat has been injured but he looked very sharp when he came on. He's made a statement that he deserves to start our next game which is a nice selection problem for us."