Lewes crashed out of the FA Trophy in cruel fashion as they lost 3-2 away to Blue Square premier side Kidderminster.

The Rooks were 2-0 down and seemingly out of it.

But goals from Arron Hopkinson and substitute Louis Pople in the last 11 minutes drew them level, only for the hosts to snatch a winner in stoppage time.

Manager Steve Ibbitson decided not to risk David Wheeler (knee) and Joe Keehan (hamstring) with Saturday's important relegation clash with Weston-super-Mare in mind, although the latter was on the bench.

Three other players were missing, including the cup-tied Jean-Michel Sigere, so a young team even by Lewes' standards took to the field.

Kidderminster needed just 11 minutes to break the deadlock, although it was somewhat harsh on Lewes as Robbie Matthews' free-kick from the edge of the box took a wicked deflection off the wall to completely wrong-foot Rikki Banks.

Although they saw plenty of the ball Lewes were a little too careless in possession and eventually the hosts were able to build some pressure.

After Kidderminster broke from a Lewes corner, Ryan Timms made a vital interception in a two-on-one situation in the 27th minute.

Moments later Chris McPhee fired over the bar after Brian Smikle cut the ball back to him.

Smikle was next to have a sight of goal but he headed wide from Duane Courtney's cross when it seemed easier to score.

Early in the second half Hopkinson had a shot fumbled around the near post for a corner but it would have been a soft goal and soon Kidderminster were 2-0 ahead as Darryl Knights fired low into the net from McPhee's cutback.

That should have been game over but Lewes gave themselves a lifeline 11 minutes from time when substitute Kane Louis went round goalkeeper Dean Coleman and teed the ball up for Hopkinson to rifle past a covering defender on the line for 2-1.

Kidderminster had switched off and five minutes later Lewes were level when Pople cut inside from the left and produced a super finish into the top corner.

Cruelly, there was one more twist as the home side launched a final attack in stoppage time. Rikki Banks twice saved at his near post from Smikle but Gavin Caines lashed home at the third attempt to seal a 3-2 win.

Lewes: Banks; Timms, Pearson, Breach, Barness; Hopkinson, Walder, Peauroux (sub Crellin 62), Royce; Rivers (sub Pople 64), Foreman (sub Louis 56). Subs not used: Keehan, Sutton.

Kidderminster: Coleman; Courtney, Caines, Riley, Baker; McPhee, Bennett (sub Hayward 46), Smikle; Knights: Matthews (sub Farrell 58), Spencer. Subs not used: Finnigan, Singh, Dolman.

Referee: Darren Bond (Lancashire).

Attendance: 654.

See The Argus tomorrow for match analysis and reaction.