Kevin Keehan has begun to repay the faith shown in him by Lewes directors.

Keehan’s side produced a performance full of spirit and character away to Histon last night just hours after their manager had been given a vote of confidence.

The ten-man Rooks seemed to be holding on for their first win of the season until their fifth-placed hosts struck a 90th-minute equaliser.

Earlier in the day Lewes had issued a statement backing their underfire manager, whose side remains bottom of the table.

The Lewes manager said: “It is a genuine vote of confidence which is good. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy.

“The directors have had to make difficult decisions and you have to cut your cloth accordingly.

“Lewes fans will accept performances like that, showing the spirit we showed. We have now got to build on that.

“The players don’t know what went on today but I am convinced if we can match teams for effort we will do well.

“We showed a lot of passion and desire, which we lacked on Saturday. We passed it really well, created chances and could have had three or four.”

The manager’s performance was discussed at a board meeting on Monday and again in a meeting with Keehan yesterday, after which the directors issued their vote of confidence.

A carefully worded statement confirmed the board are still behind their manager but also outlined the need for a swift improvement in results.

The statement said: “It was agreed by all parties that results have been disappointing and that some changes will be required to improve the team’s poor form.

“As a result, Kevin Keehan is looking to strengthen the playing squad in key areas and equally the board of directors are looking to raise more funds via commercial activity.

“The board of directors remain confident that Kevin Keehan will be able to move the club forward and that he realises the enormity of the challenge that faces Lewes FC at this level.”

The statement also confirmed Keehan’s budget was 35% less than his predecessor, although there were funds yesterday to bring in 19-year-old striker Sam Gargan on loan from Albion.

It took Gargan just 90 seconds to open his account for the club with a snap shot into the bottom corner following a sloppy clearance.

Gargan could have had a second on 15 minutes, steering a great chance just past the far post after Michael Standing knocked a Seb Wallis-Tayler cross back across goal.

Despite the half-time scoreline Lewes found themselves under pressure for much of the first half but poor finishing and two good saves from Rikki Banks kept them at bay.

Banks made another fine save early in the second half, palming a Matt Langston header on to the bar, then Chris Breach made a great block in the ensuing scramble.

Danny Cullip, having been booked in the first half and been given a final warning early in the second half, was ordered off on 67 minutes for blocking Jack Midson as Histon broke forward.

Kerry Mayo dropped back into the back four from central midfield and marshalled the defence superbly.

They looked like holding on, particularly when Banks saved from Lanre Oyebanjo, but Midson finally broke their resistance with a close-range finish in the 90th minute.

Lewes: Banks 8; Barness 7, Breach 8, Cullip 7, Wallis-Tayler 7; Standing 7, Keehan 7, Mayo 8, Rowland 7; Taylor 8, Gargan 7 (sub Geard 70). Subs not used: Graves, Cox, Baidoo, Ruddy.

Booked: Wallis-Tayler (59, foul), Geard (81, foul).

Sent off: Cullip (37, foul, 67 foul).

Histon: Naisbitt; Oyebanjo, Langston (sub Andrews 79), Ada, Gwillim; Okay (sub Mitchel-King 46), Murray, Simpson, Knight-Percival (sub Barker 60); Reeves, Midson. Subs not used: Pope, Nightingale. Booked: Reeves (44, foul).

Referee: Mr S. Burt (Northamptonshire).

Attendance: 592.