Lewes had two players sent off as they drew 1-1 at home to Thurrock in Blue Square south.

A fiery clash saw Williams Peauroux and Chris Breach dismissed for second bookable offences along with Thurrock skipper Lee Flynn and visiting boss Hakan Hayrettin.

The visitors had five other players booked in a match which leaves the Rooks looking for their first win of the season.

Dan Beck broke the deadlock with a wonderful strike in the 12th minute, finding the far corner with a sweet half-volley from 25 yards.

Thurrock, though, came back strongly, equalising when Leon Lalite shot through a crowd of players from the edge of the area on 17 minutes and then forcing Rikki Banks into two excellent saves.

First the Lewes goalkeeper somehow got down one-handed to keep out Paul Olima's header and then palmed away Matt Bodkin's stinging shot.

Lewes responded with Sam Crabb wasting two great chances at the end of the first half after being released by, first, Beck's flick-on and then Peauroux.

Crabb fired a third effort over the top in the opening stages of the second half and then goalkeeper Joe Woolley's saved well at the feet of David Wheeler following a wonderful burst through the middle.

Then came the game's flashpoint as Peauroux fouled Bodkin on 59 minutes to earn a second yellow card and spark a melee involving a number of players. Flynn also received a second caution for his part in the aftermath and Hayrettin was sent to the stands for something he said.

Lewes pushed for a winner with their best chance being a fierce drive from the impressive Wheeler which Woolley saved at his near post.

Wheeler came in for some rough treatment in the second half but it was Lewes who ended the game with nine men as Breach received a second yellow for a late tackle on Bodkin.

Lewes: Banks; Barness, Pearson, Breach, Fisk; Wheeler, Keehan, Peauroux, Royce (sub Storrie 74); Back (sub Rivers 67), Crabb (sub Timms 88). Subs not used: Chamberlain, Kirkwood.

Attendance: 354.