CHRIS Wigger’s Blues booked their place in the FA Trophy First round with a fantastic away victory at Lewes, writes Dave Rees.

Leading scorer Ben Fowkes added to his total for the season in the first half and after the hosts drew level, Adam Mills converted soon after for what proved to be the winner. Both the Blues goals of the highest quality.

The draw had paired Leiston with a return to Isthmian League Premier Division Lewes and the Dripping Pan, a place that holds fond memories for the Suffolk side having scored a famous victory in another FA competition back in 2008 when they were a step five outfit.

On that occasion the Blues ran out 3-1 victors and previous visits in league action, saw Leiston maintain a healthy record in this part of Sussex.

After suffering a disappointing exit from the FA cup seven days ago, the Blues arrived from a 3-0 Suffolk Premier Cup success at Walsham-le-Willows in midweek before facing a third cup tie in succession. The Blues had enjoyed good runs in the FA Trophy previously and after a confident start deservedly opened the scoring on 18 minutes.

Ryan Jarvis hustled possession from Lewes around the halfway line with Jude Frostick collecting the loose ball. He quickly found Mills who fed Fowkes on the left. He still had plenty to do but drove into the box and arrowed his strike over Rogers in the Lewes goal and into the far right hand top corner, a terrific strike.

There then followed a period of play with neither goalkeeper being troubled and defences on top.

But as the half closed Leiston were incredibly close to adding their second as first Clemons reacted to a stray pass but was denied by Lewes keeper Rogers and then from a corner Rogers saved Clemons effort with the ball ricocheting off the bar.

After some early second half pressure Lewes drew level with a neat finish of their own. Lewes did well to wrestle back possession just inside the Blues half and Lewes substitute Hamouchene fed a great ball between the two Blues centre halves allowing Devonte West to race into the box and tuck away his finish well.

Leiston responded well to the leveller and eight minutes later got their noses back in front with another terrific finish. Mills’ attempted ball to the left wing was intercepted but he quickly reacted to lift the loose ball over the top of the Lewes right back. He charged forward into the box and angled his drive over Rogers and into the right hand top corner, an almost carbon copy effort to that of Fowkes first half strike.

As expected Lewes surged forward looking for a way back into the tie and Morgan's effort stung the hands of Billy Johnson. The visitors defence was under some extensive pressure as Lewes piled forward and with just six minutes remaining, Billy Johnson was called into a smart save low to his right to deny the hosts from six yards and minutes later Bernal's effort was saved by Johnson.

That proved the last close call for the visitors as they booked their place in the First Round.

FT: Lewes 1 Blues 2

How the sides lined up;
Lewes: Rogers, Bernal, Burchell, Bowry, Asiedu, Morgan, Chadwick (Harley 81 mins), Andrews (Hamouchene 53 mins), Iandolo, Bennett (Walker 70 mins), West. Substitutes not used: Gayle and Christmas.

Blues: Johnson, Hill (Rayworth 47 mins) , Dunbar, Jarvis (Manly 70 mins), Callan-McFadden, Jackson, Alexander, Clemons (Blois 81 mins), Fowkes, Mills (McNeil 85 mins), Frostick. Substitute not used: Horne

Attendance: 552