Lewes boss Steve Brown believes more young professionals would benefit from a stint playing non-league football.

Albion under-18s player Jack Rowe-Hurst scored the only goal on his debut as Lewes won 1-0 at fellow strugglers AFC Hornchurch in midweek.

Rowe-Hurst, a versatile attacking player, has joined the Rooks on a work experience basis from the Seagulls, where he is in the second year of his scholarship.

Brown said: “It is an open-ended arrangement with Brighton. He is a young player who is ready to be developed.

“It is nice to see a 17-year-old willing to come to Ryman premier to ply his trade.

“It is dying out. Not many clubs loan out their players in the non-league environment.

FOUR PLAYERS WHO PLAYED ON LOAN FOR SUSSEX NON-LEAGUE CLUBS

  • Ashley Barnes (Eastbourne Borough, now Burnley)
  • Carl Jenkinson (Eastbourne Borough, now Arsenal)
  • Jason Pearce (Bognor, now Wigan)
  • Jed Wallace (Whitehawk, now Portsmouth)

“But it is certainly a level that can be utilised. There are a lot of examples of players who have had a good grounding on loan at non-league clubs.”

Tuesday’s win moved Lewes eight points clear of the bottom four with eight games to go.

They will look to move further away from the relegation zone when Leiston visit the Dripping Pan today.

Elliott Romain, Matt Crabb and Sam Cole are all suspended while the fitness of Ollie Rowe (back) will be assessed before the game.

Brown’s numbers are stretched at the moment which is why he has given an opportunity to former Albion academy player George Brown, who has been playing for Ringmer this season.

The left-back or midfielder made his debut as a substitute away to leaders Maidstone United last Saturday.