Lewes returned home feeling aggrieved that they lost this FA Trophy third round clash at Gloucester City.

The Rooks controlled the game for long periods and Paul Kennett had a hatful of chances to give his side victory but it was not to be.

It was a strong physical opening from both sides.

Gloucester had the better chances in the opening period and they took the lead on 13 minutes when a Neil Mustoe free-kick was nicely weighted for Gloucester skipper Neil Griffiths to head the ball past Russell Tanner.

Kennett had the first of an array of chances on 19 minutes after a Lewes corner but Gloucester managed to clear.

Tanner was forced to make a save on 24 minutes when Mustoe drilled the ball in.

Lewes became stronger and pulled the scores level on 29 minutes when a poor defensive header came out to Kennett who drilled the ball passed Matt Bath.

Leading scorer Lee Newman weaved through the Gloucester defence after Griffiths slipped but his effort went over.

Tony Reid went close on 38 minutes but his shot was well held by Bath.

In the second half the Rooks put a lot of pressure on the Gloucester defence.

Newman had the first chance to give them the lead but he fired over.

On 49 minutes the Rooks had three chances to take the lead but two Kennett efforts failed to find the net.

Kennett had another opportunity to send Lewes into the lead but Bath saved his shots.

Mustoe and Griffiths combined again but Griffiths' header was saved by Tanner.

Gloucester took the lead against the run of play after two substitutes linked up well with Tom Webb's first touch finding Lee Smith who hit the ball home.

Cox sent Gloucester into a 3-1 lead when he ran half the pitch, turning Graham Harper inside out before drilling the ball past Tanner on 90 minutes.

Junior Kamara made it an interesting finish when he appeared to control the ball with his hand which left the Gloucester defence static before netting to make it 3-2.

Karl Bayliss wasted a chance to seal the game in the dying seconds.