Lewes boss Steve King was left frustrated as smiling Bognor left the Dripping Pan clutching a deserved point last night.

King changed five of his starting line-up from Saturday's five-goal victory against Weston-super-Mare in preparation for the FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie at Cambridge City on Saturday.

King's replacements did a competent job but it was Bognor who impressed more with their fluent and composed football.

Kirk Watts hit an equaliser for Lewes seconds before the interval after Ben Watson had given the visitors the lead in this Conference South derby.

King said: "I don't think my team were thinking about our big cup tie. I thought even with the changes we deserved to win. Bognor played good football but I can't remember our goalkeeper having a shot to save."

With a contingent of Albion coaching staff present, Seagulls scholars Joel Lynch and Tom Elphick, who are both on work experience, impressed at the back for Rocks.

Former Albion youngster Watson took advantage of a slip-up by Max Ellison-Hustwick to chip Bognor in front on 19 minutes.

The pace and skill of the game was impressive and Lewes levelled when Watts, unmarked, drilled home from a cross by Amos Foyewa.

As the wind had got up after the interval, the match became more scrappy. But Luke Nightingale squandered a golden opportunity for Bognor midway through the half and Watts had a close-range effort tipped over by Rocks' keeper Craig Stoner.

Bognor boss Jack Pearce said: "I'm sure we are more pleased than Lewes with the point.

"We played well until we shot ourselves in the foot for the equaliser."

Lewes: Wilkerson; Hooper (Lovett 65), Sangare, Legge, Ellerson-Hustwick, Gomis, Foyewa, Beckford, Sigere, Holligan (Bradley 72), Watts. Subs: Price, Coulson, Kennett.

Bognor Regis: Stoner; Piper, Beck, Balse, Elphick, Lynch, Watson, Birmingham (Budd 62), Hudson, Nightingale, Howell. Subs: Russell, Murphy, Johnson, Rowland.

Referee: Steve Griffiths (Surrey)

Attendance: 612