Jimmy Quinn believes survival will be the name of the game for Lewes following the restructuring of the Ryman League.

Providing the in-form Rooks finish in the top six in Division Three this season, they will find themselves playing in the new Division One South next year.

That could see Lewes playing as many as six derby matches next season with Sussex rivals Bognor, Worthing and Horsham likely to be in the same division.

But, while Rooks boss Quinn welcomes the changes, he has warned supporters that his side would find it tough in a higher league.

Lewes were second in Division Three and unbeaten in the league ahead of today's visit to Ware, having scored an impressive 57 goals in 15 games. But Quinn claims they will not find it so easy in a new division.

He said: "It would be excellent for Lewes and would give the club a chance to push on up the pyramid.

"There would be a price to pay, which would be ground improvements, which the directors say they are committed to doing.

"Our aim would be just to stay in the league. Anything else, we would be kidding ourselves on. We do have the makings of a good team.

"I would like to think we could hang in there, stay in that league for a season or two and move forward from there. It is a long term thing.

"We have to be realistic, though. The ground improvements would swallow up the money. We would be playing against teams paying three or four times as much as us."

The recent signing of Danny Davis, on his release from Albion, signalled the club's intentions to move forward. Quinn has assembled a relatively young side at the Dripping Pan who like to play bright, attacking football.

For that reason, if for nothing else, Quinn believes the restructuring will be good for the team.

He added: "Some of the games we play at the moment are more of a battle than a game of football.

"A lot of teams try to turn it into a brawl and stop us from playing our football.

"I would imagine we would get away from that in a higher league. It would definitely benefit us football wise."

Meanwhile, Lewes face Wingate and Finchley in the Associate Members Cup on Wednesday and Quinn is hoping 20-goal striker Warren Bagnall and his 13-goal partner Sam Francis can shake off niggling injuries.