Three players were sent off deep into stoppage time as Lewes' derby clash with Worthing ended in mayhem.

Home defender Michael Harvey saw red along with Rebels pair Darren Freeman and Shaun Grice as the division one south promotion rivals shared a 2-2 draw.

The trouble continued in the dressing room area as Worthing official Mark Stevens and Lewes midfielder Junior Kadi, who was not playing, went head-to-head.

It was an explosive end to an otherwise tame draw which was not so costly to either side as leaders Windsor and third- placed Dulwich both suffered crushing defeats.

The controversy started three minutes into injury time when referee John Rowbury awarded a penalty for what looked like a legitimate tackle by Jay Lovett on Owen Hill.

Freeman, making his first appearance for a month, had only been introduced as a substitute in the 89th minute and had already conceded three free-kicks when he stepped up to take the penalty.

The former Albion striker promptly blazed the ball against the bar and when it dropped back into play a melee broke out which resulted in three red cards and a booking for Lewes goalkeeper Dominique Jean-Zepherin.

It was a dreadful mistake by Jean-Zepherin which led to the opening goal on 23 minutes. The French keeper made a complete hash of a clearance and then managed to let Nko Ekoku's bobbling shot slip through his hands into the net.

Lewes levelled just before half time then Warren Haughton whipped in a cross from the byline and Marc Whiteman turned home a smart finish from close range.

A crowd of 932 saw Lewes go ahead on 56 minutes when a free-kick from the influential Danny Davis flicked off Worthing's Paul Rogers thigh into the net but Worthing levelled just past the hour mark when Mark Knee's cross to the far post was headed in by Owen Hill.

Worthing manager Alan Pook said: "It is a good point for us and we should have had three in the end. However, where the referee found ten minutes of overtime from I have no idea. If he hadn't played that you wouldn't have got any of that at the end."

With games in hand both second-placed Lewes and fourth-placed Worthing could overtake Windsor, who lost to Slough.