Lewes slumped to the bottom of National League division one after a humbling 6-1 defeat at home to relegation rivals Firebrands.

With Chelmsford winning at home to Beeston and Barford Tigers taking a point from a 1-1 draw at Brooklands, the situation does not look good for Lewes.

A couple of wins could change that but, with confidence low and the registration deadline for new players having passed, you have to wonder how Lewes can turn it around.

Manager Peter Boyse said: "We didn't play ridiculously badly and we weren't five goals worse than them but again we did not take our chances.

"We had a golden chance in the first minute and fluffed it completely. That would have given us the lead and the confidence to settle us down.

"We made as many chances as they did but we didn't put the ball in the net while Firebrands were clinical.

"It is a lack of confidence but the confidence will only come if we get on the scoresheet. We are now bottom and I can't see how we will get that win. We have got to take our chances but obviously time is running out."

Luke Hurle wasted the first minute opportunity for Lewes but the visitors scored from their first short corner as Simon Lanyon struck. It was 3-0 at half time with further goals from Andy Catchpole and David Hacker.

Lewes were 5-0 down by the time they pulled one back with ten minutes remaining. That was a penalty stroke converted by Marnix Achterbergh after Steve Edmonds had his stick taken out, but Firebrands responded with Lanyon scoring his fourth of the game late on.

Boyse added: "We weren't five goals worse but we aren't good enough at the moment, largely due to a lack of confidence. We are not playing as well as we were in the early part of the season. Some of the other teams have improved but we haven't."

Lewes: Wilkinson; McConachie, Champness, Standing, Bettesworth; Hutchinson, Owen, van Tromp; Edmonds, Hurle, Stubbs. Subs: Wright, Achterbergh, Ibbotson.