Eastbourne Borough missed the chance to extend their lead at the top of Blue Square south after only their second home defeat of the season.

Borough were the first to threaten with Andy Atkin cutting in dangerously on the right. His cross from the byline was cleared only as far as Paul Armstrong who fired inches wide from 20 yards.

City were quick to counter and an even better opportunity fell to their top scorer Michael Gash who volleyed a cross from Lee Roache over the bar from inside the area.

Borough had another let-off in the 28th minute when Gash side-footed against the post with the defence napping.

Borough turned on the pressure as half-time approached and missed a glorious chance to go ahead when Scott Ramsay ran on to a long clearance from keeper Lee Hook, beat his marker only to balloon the ball way over the bar from the edge of the area.

Minutes later Atkin got into a similar position but he was also too high with his half-volley.

Garry Wilson's men were soon piling on the pressure in the second half and almost broke the deadlock when Armstrong's drive hit the post.

Atkin then scooped Jay Lovett's cross over the bar from just a few yards out.

After all their pressure, Borough were stunned in the 70th minute as City took the lead. Stephen Smith's free kick from the right was superbly headed home by the diving Dave Theobald. And City might have had a second but for a great save by Hook to deny Ashley Fuller.

Bognor lost 2-1 at home to Maidenhead yesterday despite a goal from Scott Chamberlain.

Does this defeat put Lewes back in charge of the race for automatic promotion?