Lewes lost by a single goal for the fourth successive game as they went down 1-0 away to Kettering.

Having fallen behind in the first half when the hosts were clearly on top, Lewes stepped up their game after the interval.

Shaun Wilkinson and David Wheeler both went close to an equaliser but could not prevent a 16th successive Blue Square premier defeat which leaves them on the brink of formally being relegated.

Their fate could be confirmed by defeat at Barrow on Saturday.

Tim Rivers came in for Wheeler as the only planned change from Saturday's 1-0 defeat at home to Kidderminster.

The Rooks felt Wheeler needed a rest after a number of games recently for his club and for English Schools under-18s so Rivers started up front with Rhys Henry switching to right midfield.

Caretaker boss Steve Ibbitson had to make a further change before kick-off when Guy Butters pulled up in the warm-up with a calf injury so Fred Foreman came into the starting line-up with Chris Breach dropping back to centre-back.

Ibbitson opted for a 4-1-4-1 formation with Wilkinson sitting deep in midfield but they found themselves under pressure from the start.

Maybe the late change had unsettled Lewes but it was little surprise when they fell behind on 24 minutes, Gareth Seddon crossing to the back post where Jean-Paul Marna fired home.

Despite bossing possession Kettering were creating few chances, although Rikki Banks was forced to make a good save to deny Seddon 11 minutes before the break.

Lewes were restricted to a couple of half chances in the opening 45 minutes, Henry and Rivers, via a deflection, getting efforts on target without troubling Lee Harper.

Wilkinson threatened an equaliser on 57 minutes with a shot from 25 yards which Harper pushed round his left-hand post for a corner.

Lewes were beginning to get up a head of steam and Wheeler, who had replaced Henry, unleashed a left-foot shot which Harper got down well to save.

They certainly enjoyed a better second half when Ryan Storrie and Andy Wilkinson came on for their league debuts but their good spell fizzled out and Kettering held out comfortably in the end.

Lewes: Rikki Banks; Anthony Barness, Danny Cullip, Chris Breach, Sam Fisk (sub Andy Wilkinson 80); Rhys Henry (sub David Wheeler 62), Joe Keehan, Shaun Wilkinson, Fred Foreman, Stefan Cox (sub Ryan Storrie 72); Tim Rivers. Subs not used: Jay Liburd.

Kettering: Lee Harper; Dale Bennett, John Dempster, Exodus Geohaghan, Luke Potter; Alfie Potter, Darren Wrack, Andre Boucard, Richard Graham (sub Ange Lorougnon 88); Gareth Seddon (sub Chris Beardsley 77), Jean-Paul Marna (sub Craig Westcarr 77). Subs not used: Jason Lee, Brett Solkhon.

Referee: Mr S Procter-Green.