Paul Thomsett has given Lewes a massive boost ahead of Sunday's FA Cup first round clash with Stoke City.

The veteran sweeper came through the full 90 minutes as the Rooks beat Great Wakering Rovers 1-0 in Ryman League division two in their final match before Sunday's cup showdown.

Only ten days previously Thomsett had suffered a twisted knee against East Thurrock which had looked likely to rule him out of the Stoke game, but he showed no ill effects with a typically inspirational performance last night.

Manager Jimmy Quinn said: "That was the big plus of the night. He played ever so well but the main thing was he survived the 90 minutes. He took one or two knocks as well but he is alright."

On the down side, Joe Clark went off at half-time with a groin injury while the news concerning Justin Harris looks bleak.

Harris had an operation yesterday to repair tendons on the hand he damaged in an accident at work and time is running out for him to be fit for Sunday.

Clark was unlikely to have started against Stoke but would almost certainly have been on the bench. He will now undergo treatment to see if he can play.

Quinn's team selection was somewhat restricted with Harris injured while Paul Stokes and Andy Johnson were serving one-match bans.

Captain Marc Cable did not risk a rib injury while goalkeeper Ross Standen was rested, giving the cup-tied Mike Lidbury another chance between the posts.

A crowd of only 140 were at the Dripping Pan to give Lewes a cup send-off. A figure closer to 14,000 is expected at the Britannia Stadium this weekend.

There was cup fever in the air but the spartan crowd made for a somewhat eerie atmosphere.

Off the pitch, there was a hive of activity with chairman Terry Parris giving a succession of interviews.

The club shop, meanwhile, were busier than they have ever been, according to commercial manager Laurie Pilbeam, selling scarves, flags and replica shirts to be carried and worn in the Potteries on Sunday.

On the pitch, the significance of this result should not go unnoticed. Aside from the FA Cup, Lewes harbour hopes of doing well in both the FA Vase and the league. This result, against a side second in the table, is good for Lewes who have games in hand on the leading sides in division two.

Quinn said: "That is a very good win and I thought we deserved it.

"I rate them as one of the top three sides in the league so that is very pleasing."

While injuries were a concern for everyone, certain players were playing for places and the likes of Cameron Johnson and Mark McCallum did their own causes no harm.

The only goal came 11 minutes from time when Chris Dicker delivered a corner from the left which captain for the night Stuart Hack met with a bullet header which had too much power for the defender on the line.

Otherwise, Lewes had a number of chances and should also have had a penalty on the hour mark when defender Paul Wheeler handled Luke Dowling's cross but referee Alison Chapman missed it.

Great Wakering had a lot of possession but rarely threatened and they had skipper Danny Scopes sent off four minutes from time for one boisterous challenge too many.

It was not their night and it was summed up when one wag in the crowd asked a Great Wakering, "Who are you playing this weekend?" For the record, it's Met Police which is a far cry from Stoke City.

Lewes: Lidbury, Beeston, Dowling (Mackay 70), Clark (Venables 46), Hack, McCallum, Dicker, Cameron Johnson, Francis, Thomsett, Shepherd (Newman 61).

Great Wakering: Hudson, Heffer, Hickton, Hampshire, Wheeler, Scopes, Firth (Ringer 84), Twidell (Dick 90), Sibanda, Trenkle, Dorrell (Ewers 84).

Attendance: 140.