Ten-man Lewes produced a battling display before going down 3-0 at home to Blue Square south leaders Newport County.
The Rooks were the better side until Newport took the lead against the run of play on 25 minutes when Scott Rogers turned home a low cross.
The turning point of the game came two minutes before half-time when Ryan Timms, who had only been on the pitch for nine minutes, was sent off for bringing Dave Gilroy for a penalty.
Although Rikki Banks saved Craig Reid’s spot-kick the Rooks were always going to be up against it from there on and second-half goals followed from Kerry Morgan and substitute Charlie Henry.
Lewes: Banks, Barness, Sutton (sub Timms 34), Pearson, Walder, Breach, Wheeler, Keehan, Louis (sub Fenelon 69), Rivers (sub Foreman 69), Royce. Subs not used: Peauroux, Pople.
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