Lewes paid for an error of judgment from Rikki Banks as they went down 1-0 away to Mansfield.

Banks, who had earlier made two great saves, had no need to come charging out of his goal 20 minutes from time to provide Nathan Arnold with the easy decision of lobbing the ball into an unguarded net.

It was harsh on Lewes who showed plenty of heart and looked like they might end their miserable run which has now stretched to 13 consecutive Blue Square premier defeats.

The had to defend for long periods but also had chances of their own including Joe Keehan's first half effort which flew narrowly wide and David Wheeler's stinging shot three minutes after falling behind.

The Rooks started with a teenage strikeforce with Southend loanee Rhys Henry, 19, coming in for his full debut alongside 17-year-old Fred Foreman.

Henry, who impressed as a substitute against Histon last week, replaced for Josh Klein-Davies who was ruled out by injury.

Klein-Davies' loan from Bristol Rovers is up for review and manager Kevin Keehan will assess the injury he picked up in training with his parent club before deciding whether to extend his stay with the Rooks for a third and final month.

Anthony Barness returned from a one-match ban so Chris Breach and Stefan Cox, who was replaced by Foreman, dropped to the bench.

It took just 30 seconds for Lewes to produce a shot at goal, Shaun Wilkinson's low shot being deflected wide for a corner.

Mansfield responded with efforts from Rob Duffy and Paul Mayo, all within the first four minutes.

The early stages were very open and the Rooks played their part by forcing four corners in the opening ten minutes.

Lewes went close to breaking the deadlock on 20 minutes when a 25-yard effort from Keehan flew inches past a post with keeper Alan Marriott beaten.

Banks made a fine save on the half-hour mark to push Neil MacKenzie's shot round the far post for a corner after the Lewes defence was stretched.

Banks then tipped a Nathan Arnold over the bar three minutes later following a recycled corner.

The pressure was mounting from the hosts but Lewes held firm and Mansfield were greeted with some boos from the stands as they left the pitch at half-time.

Within minutes of the restart Mansfield forward Aaron O'Connor crashed a 20-yard shot against the near post with Banks beaten.

Banks came to the rescue of Lewes again on 63 minutes as he tipped a header from Scott Garner over the bar following Arnold's cross from the left.

The breakthrough when it came with 20 minutes remaining was avoidable. Ryan Williams played a long ball down the right flank for Arnold to chase with Sam Fisk for company. Fisk seemed to be dealing with the situation but Banks came charging out and Arnold lobbed the ball into an empty net.

Lewes responded with a smart move started by Danny Cullip's pass out of defence for Fred Foreman who in turn fed the overlapping Wheeler and his rasping shot stung goalkeeper Marriott's palms.

Stefan Cox and Tim Rivers were thrown on in an attempt to find an equaliser but the goal would not come. The closest they came was a 20-yard effort from Cox which Marriott held comfortably.

For Lewes, Cullip was immense at the back while there were several other impressive performances.

Lewes: Rikki Banks; Anthony Barness, Danny Cullip, Guy Butters, Sam Fisk; David Wheeler (sub Tim Rivers 84), Joe Keehan, Shaun Wilkinson, Michael Standing; Rhys Henry, Fred Foreman (sub Stefan Cox 80). Subs not used: Chris Breach, Grant Hall, Chris Winterton.

Mansfield: Alan Marriott; Gary Silk, Scott Garner, Adie Moses, Paul Mayo; Nathan Arnold, Jonathan D'Layrea, Neil MacKenzie, Michael Blackwood (sub Ryan Williams 51); Robert Duffy, Aaron O'Connor (sub Louis Briscoe 64). Subs not used: Curtis Woodhouse, Gianluca Havern, Jason White.

Referee: Robert Madley (West Yorkshire).