JOE KEEHAN spoke of his relief after helping Lewes end their long losing run.

Midfielder Keehan scored the second goal as the Rooks beat Altrincham 2-0 at the Dripping Pan to avoid setting a new English professional record of 19 successive league defeats.

It took his personal tally to seven goals which makes him top scorer in what has been a tough debut season at this level.

Keehan has had to endure criticism of his father Kevin, who resigned as manager last month, but has come through with his head held high after a series of impressive displays which make him a leading contender for the player-of-the-year award.

Saturday’s victory was about the team rather than one man but Keehan spoke for them afterwards when he admitted the long losing run had been a burden.

He said: “No one wants that record under their belt and everyone has been trying hard to avoid it.

“It is hard not to let it get to you but you have to get on with it and you have to play your football. If you don’t it will drag you down.

“Maybe we had got in a losing mentality. We needed this and it is a good lift.”

David Wheeler notched two landmarks when he broke the deadlock with a neat finish from Luke Rooney’s through ball on 25 minutes. The young winger scored his first league goal for Lewes and also bagged the first league goal the team had scored at home since November 22.

Keehan headed a second before half-time and Lewes rarely looked like throwing away their advantage in a match where there were some outstanding displays.

Goalkeeper Rikki Banks made two great saves in the first six minutes and two more equally good stops midway through the second half to ensure there was no comeback from the visitors.

Skipper Danny Cullip, returning from tonsillitis, marshalled the defence superbly and 18-year-old Rooney, who is on work experience from Gillingham, was outstanding in midfield.

Lewes used eight teenagers during the course of the game and caretaker boss Steve Ibbitson praised their impact.

He said: “The whole side played well. We know the under-18s who have come in can play and they have been a bit of a catalyst for us. Maybe a couple of them aren’t quite ready for the Conference yet but they want to go out there and play and that has rubbed off on some of the older players.

“They have bags of self belief and every one of them thinks they are the best player at the club, which is great. It showed because it was the young lads often that started us playing.

“Luke Rooney is not the biggest player but his energy levels are unbelievable, he is skilful and very aggressive. He is exactly my type of midfield player.

“I am absolutely delighted. I didn’t want to be the manager to take Lewes to this record, albeit I have not been involved all the time.

“The players have been tremendous. There is not one head that has been down in any of the games we have played. Danny Cullip in particular has been tremendous in keeping the spirits up. I am proud of every one of them.”

Having survived two early chances Lewes went ahead when defender Mark McGregor failed to cut out Rooney’s threaded pass and Wheeler ran on to fire low past goalkeeper Stuart Coburn.

The second on 42 minutes came from a Michael Standing corner which Keehan headed home at the back post into the top corner.

Altrincham were twice denied by Banks in the second half but Lewes had chances too, notably substitute Andy Wilkinson firing wide of the far post after great work from Wheeler.

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.

Bookings: Rooney, Cullip, Wilkinson.

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).

Bookings: Densmore, Danylyk.

Red card: Danylyk.