Lewes finally ended their long losing run with a deserved 2-0 victory at home to Altrincham.

Facing the prospect of setting a new English professional record if they had lost again, the Rooks turned in their best display since caretaker boss Steve Ibbitson took charge.

They scored their first league goals at home since November 22 thanks to first-half efforts from David Wheeler and Joe Keehan and rarely looked like throwing away that advantage.

There were some outstanding displays, notably 18-year-old midfielder Luke Rooney, Rikki Banks in goal and Danny Cullip at the back but the most impressive thing was the way they worked as a team.

Lewes made four changes to the side that lost 4-1 at Forest Green last week.

The defence was strengthened by the return of skipper Cullip, Chris Breach and Sam Fisk while David Wheeler was back on the right side of midfield.

Anthony Barness and Stefan Cox were suspended while Ibbitson chose not to include latest signing Geoff Banks-Smith, who has warmed up with the players before the game.

Lewes are only allowed to use two work experience players in any game and Ibbitson chose to give another run-out to Rooney and Josh Jirbandey, which meant Brentford striker Banks-Smith missed out.

The visitors had two good chances in the first six minutes but Banks came to the rescue on both occasions.

First Banks saved low down from Michael Welch following a corner by Shaun Densmore, then a minute later Banks made a great smothering stop to deny Joe O'Neill as Lewes appealed for offside.

On 15 minutes Dale Johnson lobbed over the top as Altrincham continued their good start.

The deadlock was broken by Lewes on 25 minutes when Rooney threaded a pass forward, defender Mark McGregor slipped and Wheeler ran on to fire low past goalkeeper Stuart Coburn for his first league goal.

Within a minute Rooney shot low past the near post but Lewes needed another good save from Banks in the 31st minute to deny Colin Little.

Three minutes before the break the Rooks doubled their advantage when Michael Standing delivered a corner from the right and Joe Keehan rose highest to head into the top corner for his seventh goal of the season.

Within five minutes of the restart the impressive Rooney threatened a third goal with a shot which flashed wide from 20 yards.

Lewes were certainly not under concerted pressure but they needed two fine saves from Banks to deny the visitors.

On 69 minutes he made a good stop from Colin Little and two minutes later he showed great reflexes to thwart the same player.

The Rooks responded with substitute Andy Wilkinson firing wide of the far post after more good work from Wheeler.

As the minutes ticked down Altrincham were reduced to hopeful attempts at goal which failed to trouble Banks.

The visitors finished the game with ten men after Anthony Danylyk was booked twice within 60 seconds in stoppage time.

Lewes: Banks; Jirbandey, Cullip, Breach, Fisk; Wheeler, Standing (sub Foreman 79), Keehan, Rooney, Storrie (sub A.Wilkinson 67); Rivers (sub Sutton 73). Subs not used: Hall, Barton.

Altrincham: Coburn, Lane, McGregor (sub B.Wilkinson 46), Young, Doughty, Densmore, Johnson, Danylyk, Welch, Little, O'Neill (sub Peyton 74). Subs not used: Lawton, Denham, Senior.

Referee: Keith Yeo (Essex).