Dean's new six-match ban 'over the top'

Hooper has been given the extra ban for failing to leave the pitch when dismissed and manager Steve King described it as 'ridiculous'. He went on: 'In the incident Dean never even touched the Borough man involved Scott Ramsay.'

Lewes chairman Terry Parris said: 'To be banned for so many games is way over the top. It seems there are rules for one player and not another. Dean was not the perpetrator in the incident and he was punished when other players overreacted.

'Dean is a most competitive player who is protective of his colleagues. He is well liked by everybody at the club and it is a blow to lose his services when we need every player for our push towards the playoffs.

'We do not condone being sent off in any way but the rules and regulations need looking at.'

Hooper's latest ban means he will be absent until the visit to Cambridge City on March 25 provided all the scheduled games are played in the interim.

Hooper was missing from the line-up in Tuesday's 2-2 draw at Bognor Regis when King made two changes from the side that beat Dorchester 3-2 on Saturday. Luke Fontana replaced Kirk Watts and Dean Gordon came in at left back for Mark Wright, who was recalled by Southend.

The 31-year-old Gordon has played over 300 league games including spells at Crystal Palace, Middlesbrough and Blackpool.

'He's been a friend of mine for 15 years,' said King. He lives in Middlesbrough and his mum lives in Croydon. He flew down on Tuesday and I collected him at Gatwick. He's waiting to sign for someone at the end of the season and maybe he can help us out on a game-by-game basis.

'He did a job for us at Bognor and when he opened up at times you could see the difference in class.'

The Rooks should have had The Rocks buried by the quarter-hour mark at Nyewood Lane according to King. He said: 'It should have been 4-0 after 15 minutes, we missed chance after chance after chance.

'Karl Beckford had a great game again and although our second goal was credited as an o.g. I reckon it should go to him as I thought the ball was going in anyway.

'Their first goal was disappointing as they had only one player over six foot and he managed to get in between two defenders. The second was disappointing simply because we conceded in 89 minutes.

'Leon Legge injured his groin in the game and could be out for a couple of weeks, you never know with those injuries.'

In those opening 15 minutes Beckford burst through but shot wide, Jean-Michel Sigere missed a sitter and then Fontana missed two clear chances.

It took 21 minutes for the Rooks to finally go in front. Becks collected the ball and drifted past two Bognor men before drilling a powerful low drive into the bottom corner. Richard Hudson then forced Lewes goalkeeper Paul Wilkerson into a fingertip save but Lewes dominated and Fontana had another chance just before the break.

Immediately after half-time Bognor dangerman Ben Watson was just wide after a Leon Legge error, but his predatory instincts were on view in the 61st minute. Jody Rowland sent in a deep corner, Dan Beck flicked it on, Wilkerson parried but the ball fell to Watson who tapped in from close range.

The Rooks were back in front on 81 minutes. Jamie Howell conceded a free-kick, Beckford fizzed the ball in hard and low and Howell's diving headed attempt to clear sent it past his own goalkeeper.

Bognor forced the pace and on 89 minutes Wilkerson pushed a shot from ex-Rook Hudson out for a corner. Hudson's corner was returned to him, but he flashed the ball into the near post and Beck netted.

Lewes: Wilkerson, Sangare, Gordon, Robinson, Legge (Lovett 68), Harkin (Watts 74), Beckford, Kennett, Cade, Fontana (Kember 61), Sigere.