Lewes lost their heads and probably the chance of promotion from Ryman division one south after going down 2-0 to Worthing at the Dripping Pan last night.

Two goals by former Lewes player Peter Brackley gave Worthing the points and sparked ugly scenes after the game.

Manager Jimmy Quinn, who had been sent from the dugout during the game for comments made to an assistant, was involved in a scuffle with Worthing striker Ben Carrington.

He had to be escorted off the pitch by a steward after approaching supporters behind the goal.

Trouble spilled into the dressing rooms where a number of players from both sides exchanged insults.

The Rooks now have to travel to leaders Bognor for the penultimate game of their season on Saturday four points adrift of the second promotion position.

Worthing assistant manager Keith Rowley, who was filling in for the unwell Barry Lloyd, was delighted with the result but not with how the game finished.

He said: "They lost their discipline and you can't do that kind of thing in football, it doesn't help anyone.

"Personally I like to stay calm, but that's the way Jim (Quinn) is. He gets worked up and I don't think he will ever change.

"My players weren't the instigators of what went on and I was happy at how we kept our discipline and the way we performed from a football point of view."

Worthing, who had held Bognor to a 1-1 draw two days before, produced a superb performance which belied their league position.

They deserved to go in front on 33 minutes when a long-range effort by Wesley Lopez came to Brackley via Mark McCallum's face and the ex-Rook chipped a delightful lob over Russell Tanner and in off the far post.

Brackley sealed the fate of his old club eight minutes from time when he arrived late in the box to fire home from 12 yards after a good running cross by Andy Walker.