Lewes manager Jimmy Quinn is laying the blame with the Ryman League and fellow clubs as he surveys his side's forthcoming fixture pile-up.

The Ryman League division three promotion chasers face five games in the next 15 days having already played three times since last Saturday.

The Rooks boss describes the fixture congestion as "madness" and believes it could have been avoided.

Quinn said: "The league has to fit more games in at the start of the season and be more flexible about rearranging matches."

He added: "This has come about because clubs refused to play earlier on in the season. We telephoned clubs and left messages on the league answerphone and tried to arrange games but clubs wanted to wait and play later in the season.

"We told the league at Christmas that we would play any team, any time and anywhere. We were not trying to arrange games to suit us and were prepared to take whatever we were given.

"But the league said it was up to clubs to agree. It is the league's fault because they were not prepared to step in and intervene."

However, Ryman secretary Nick Robinson was surprised to hear of Quinn's complaints.

Mr Robinson said: "If they wish to make a complaint then there is a procedure open for them to follow. But we have had no complaints from Lewes this season nor any problems.

"Maybe the manager is not in harmony with his own match secretary."

He added: "If they have a problem arranging games the league can step in to help out but they have to tell us about it. We are not telepathic."

What is beyond doubt, is that the flood of matches threatens to scupper Rooks' promot-ion hopes.

On Monday they were forced to field a below strength side for the Associate Members' Trophy quarter-final derby with Horsham, which they lost 3-1.

The following night they returned to league action but suffered only their second division three defeat of the season when visitors Epsom and Ewell won 1-0. Last night Lewes were due to play Hornchurch but that match was called off, while Kingsbury visit the Dripping Pan tomorrow.

Quinn said: "When it gets like this it becomes a lottery. It is meant to be that the best club wins the league after playing every other team home and away over nine months. However, when it gets like this it is more like a cup competition."