Lewes slipped into the relegation zone in National League division one after a 3-2 defeat away to fellow strugglers Barford Tigers.

The hosts were rock bottom at the start of play but their experience shone through against a young Lewes side.

Only Chelmsford are below Lewes now and, with one team going down and another going into the end of season play-offs, they must start winning if they want to avoid relegation.

Manager Peter Boyse said: "Barford aren't a bad side and it could have gone either way. I think a draw would have been a fair result but we aren't getting the rub of the green at the moment.

"We keep losing by the odd goal and we are not taking our chances. We are creating chances but not taking them. We are a bit naive in front of goal.

"It is tight down there but we have got to start winning. It is in our hands. If we starting winning, we will be okay.

"We now have three games in the next three weeks where we hope to pick up the points."

Lewes started the brighter and could have been two goals ahead in the first ten minutes. Chances were not taken and Barford scored twice in the first half to take control of the game.

Twenty minutes into the second period Will Champness scored from a short corner and seven minutes later a good move ended with Luke Hurle drawing Lewes level.

Lewes then had a succession of short corners but it was Barford who found a winner with five minutes remaining when Jimmy Singh scored his second of the game.

Lewes: Wilkinson; Standing, Champness, Hutchinson, Bettesworth: Achterbergh, Owen, van Tromp; Hurle, Edmonds, Stubbs. Subs used: McConachie, Wright.