Lewes came up with a master stroke when they handed Allister Coombe the No.9 shirt at Brighton.

The young utility back was outstanding in his new position as his side won 12-8 at Waterhall in the Sussex Trophy. He was due to remain there against Sidcup today with Tim Hemsley still sidelined by a dead leg.

Coombe has been out since September due to a knee injury and a holiday but chairman Terry Powell was impressed by his comeback performance.

He said: "Allister came to the club as a scrum half and is a talented footballer wherever you play him.

"He is a crisp passer, he gets the ball away quickly and he put in some very good deep kicks."

The return of Richard Siggs from a trip to New Zealand is another boost for the Stanley Turner Ground side as they look towards what could be a testing Trophy quarter-final at Bognor next Sunday.