Lewes completed a hat-trick of single goal victories over Eastbourne Borough in the space of a month at the Dripping Pan last night.

Jon Nurse's first goal since signing on loan from Stevenage was enough for Steven King's side to book a place in the quarter finals of the Sussex Senior Cup.

The visitors dominated the match but were unable to break down a well organised Lewes defence and would have lost by more but for two fantastic saves from Lee Hook.

Lewes boss King said: "I think we deserved to win. They had more possession in the second half but didn't really hurt us and I can't remember our keeper having to make a big save.

"It is very hard to win three out of three against a side like Borough considering they have been playing at a higher level than us in recent years and it shows how far we have come."

Defeat was tough on Borough who have nothing to show for three close encounters against Lewes after losing 2-1 at Priory Lane at the end of December and 1-0 at the Dripping Pan on New Year's Day.

Borough boss Garry Wilson said: "I think Lewes must have a hoodoo over us.

"We dominated the game and I think on a decent pitch we would have made it count because the ball kept bobbling at crucial moments for us.

"I cannot complain about my players because they were good tonight and maybe it is a blessing in disguise to go out of the cup because now we can concentrate on trying to make the promotion playoffs."

The pitch made it difficult for both teams to create any chances and it took until the 32nd minute before either keeper was called into serious action when Lee Hook saved a tame shot from Paul Kennett.

The visitors grew in confidence as the half progressed and should have taken the lead just before the break when they wasted two glorious opportunities.

First, Stuart Playford's low cross somehow made it through to Danny Simmonds on the edge of the six-yard box but he could only hook his shot wide under pressure from Francis Duku and Dominique Jean-Zepherin. That may have been playing on Simmonds' mind two minutes later when he elected to pass when a goal seemed certain.

Borough were made to rue those missed chances a minute before the interval when Lewes took the lead against the run of play. Kennett's free-kick was not cleared properly and Nurse had time to place his header past Hook inside the far post.

Borough continued to dominate after the break but they were grateful for two fine saves from Hook which kept them in the match as he brilliantly got down to keep out Kennett's 25-yard drive and then flew to his left to push away Marc Whiteman's point-blank volley.

Although they were enjoying the lion's share of possession, Borough were finding it hard to open up the Lewes defence and when they did create an opening they were guilty of poor finishing.

A clever dummy from Loui Fazakerley helped put Ollie Rowland clear but he scuffed his shot straight at Jean-Zepherin and with 15 minutes to go Darren Smith raced on to substitute Danny Williams' inch perfect through ball but once again allowed the Lewes keeper to make an easy save.