Whitehawk moved four points clear of the relegation zone on Tuesday evening with a hard fought win over Sussex rivals Lewes.

Shaun Saunders men made it two wins in four days to finish the night just one win behind their opponents but were made to work hard for the points.

A crowd of 648 enjoying free entry to the match after the previous game was abandoned on Boxing Day, watched a contest where both sides needed the points for different reasons.

The Rooks run of one win in nine matches has seen them slip down the Isthmian Premier Division table after leading the league early in the season .

Both sides contributed to a tentative first half short on goalmouth action, Lewes playing down the slope but unable to fashion any good chances to trouble Joseph Osaghae whilst Toby Bull at the other end was just as inactive.

The second half playing down the slope seemed to bring out the best in the hosts and they were in front nine minutes after the restart, Harry Bridle fed with a superb through ball and he finished sweetly past Bull for the opening goal.

The Hawks looked the more likely to add the game’s second goal and fifteen minutes from time Bridle headed home from a corner to double his and Whitehawk’s tally for the evening.

Lewes did pull a goal back with a minute to play as Tolu Ladapo stabbed the ball home, but too little too late for the visitors as the home side held on for back to back wins.

This weekend, Whitehawk host Cray Wanderers whilst Lewes are back at the Dripping Pan facing a visit from Bowers & Pitsea.