Mansfield 3 Lewes 0.

Billy Dearden gave Lewes the perfect pick-me-up after his Mansfield side ended their FA Cup dream.

Rooks boss Steven King looked a despondent figure as he stood on the pitch at Field Mill at the end of Saturday's first round tie which the Stags won 3-0.

King knew his side had done him proud but he had also witnessed the subtle difference in class between where his side are and where they aspire to be.

For a moment it was a sobering thought for King but Mansfield boss Dearden offered a timely boost as he praised the Conference south part-timers.

Dearden, the second oldest boss in the Football League behind Sir Alex Ferguson, said: "For the first 20 minutes Lewes took the game to us and played very well. They had a couple of half chances and if they had gone in it might have been very different.

"I was impressed with the standard of football they played and also impressed with their professionalism. They did themselves proud."

Dearden's words echoed what most people at Field Mill felt. Lewes matched their League Two hosts for half an hour, probably even had the better of that period, but they never did enough to really hurt their hosts.

Mansfield by contrast did not create a lot - certainly not until the game was up and Lewes were playing with ten men - but they took their chances when they came along.

It was the same when Lewes went out at Darlington at the same stage of the competition a year ago. A 4-1 scoreline on that occasion did not reflect proceedings but it reflected the quality of finishing you get as you move up the divisions.

When the Lewes defence was stretched for almost the first time in the afternoon, Rory Boulding delivered the perfect cross for elder brother Michael to knock home from close range for the opener on 32 minutes. Rory Boulding then showed quick feet and clinical finishing to add a second five minutes before half-time and suddenly the game was as good as up.

A third goal from substitute Ian Holmes nine minutes from time was harsh on Lewes, particularly after having Ian Simpemba sent off for a second bookable on 72 minutes.

King made positive substitutions in the second half to try to get back in the game, even playing with four up front prior to Simpemba's dismissal, but there was no way back.

The Lewes boss said: "I said to the boys you are going to get chances and if you don't take them you will get punished and that is exactly what happened.

"Their supporters stayed and gave us a standing ovation and that is because we gave them a hell of a game. I feel some of my players could easily play in their team but we just didn't have that bit of cutting edge up front and in the end that was the difference.

"I said all my players would have to produce eight or nine out of ten performances to stand any chance of winning the game and for me there are probably only three or four who hit those targets. I am not faulting the effort of the others but I am on about the bit of quality that I know they possess."

What was particularly pleasing for Lewes was their defensive display, with Steve Robinson standing out.

Lewes are always likely to score goals but keeping them out has been a problem in the past. That seems to have changed now and that resolve will be important in the more realistic challenges which lie ahead, namely the league and the FA Trophy.

Robinson said: "On another day we will play like that and win but when you play League teams you have to take your chances.

"It wasn't for a lack of effort and if we apply that to the rest of the season and try to use it as a benchmark we will do really well this year. The FA Cup is a fantasy. You are never really going to win it but a good Cup run can kick us on for the season."

Mansfield: Muggleton, Bell (sub Kitchen 83), Mullins, Buxton, Martin, Hamshaw, D'Laryea, Dawson, Jelleyman, R.Boulding (sub Holmes 77), M.Boulding (sub McAliskey 83). Subs not used: White, Sleath.

Referee: Carl Boyeson (Yorkshire).

Lewes: Williams, Conroy, Barness (Legge 64), Kennett (sub Drury 53), Robinson, Simpemba, Cade, Wormull, Holloway, Booth, Binns (sub Griffiths 78). Subs not used: Watts, Groves.

Did Lewes deserve to get knocked out?