Lewes grabbed their first win of the season but it was laced with a hefty drop of controversy.

Martin Lovell's drop goal was initially ruled out, then allowed to stand to give the hosts an 18-15 verdict over Crawley.

A fifth successive London Three South East defeat looked imminent when tries from Rob Dowling and Andy Jenn, plus a penalty and conversion by Justin Kemp-Gee, put Crawley 15-8 up going into the last ten minutes.

The visitors then had flanker Alan Maybank sin-binned and Lewes took advantage to send prop Paul Lacy over from a lineout, with Lovell's conversion levelling the scores.

Lovell's drop goal came when he received the ball from a free-kick. Coach Paul Taylor admitted: "I thought you could not go for goal until the opposition had touched the ball but the referee eventually ruled otherwise and we did not complain."

In fact, the free-kick law says a team can go for goal once their opponents have touched the ball or made a tackle but not after a ruck or maul.

Taylor added: "We competed up front, which is where we won the game, and we kept their runners shackled."

Lewes's first half points came from a try by lock Treve Tagg and a Lovell penalty.

East Grinstead were also delighted as they ran up a 48-0 win at hapless Askeans.

The former National League outfit have been reduced to playing on a narrow outside pitch at Blackheath and were no match for in-form Gs outside half Ray Hennessy, who grabbed two tries.

Rob Magee, Paul Goodwin and Matt Lester also struck with Dan Moore adding four conversions and a penalty.

Worthing now look the county's best bet for promotion after winning 18-10 at Brighton.

Terry Butler's late score made sure the visitors overturned last season's home defeat to their South Coast rivals, which effectively settled the title.

They always had the edge after wing Neal Weston rounded off a great move and Mike Imrie struck from a close range maul.

Stuart McLaughlan kicked a penalty but outside half Paul Charlton kept Brighton in the hunt with a try, conversion and penalty.

Eastbourne stay top of London Four South East, even though their trip to Heathfield was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

Hove's game at Dartfordians was also called off but Bognor beat Park House 34-31 at Hampshire Avenue. They led 27-9 but were then pegged back to a three-point lead and had Richard Hine sin-binned before Tom Spurle's second try settled matters.

Steve Woolcombe (2) and Jonny Lang also crossed with Andy Shipp slotting three conversions and a penalty.

Bognor go to neighbours Chichester next Saturday and Chi need a win after Saturday's 25-10 loss at Old Dunstonians when they arrived ten minutes before kick-off. Richard Johnson and James Ward scored Chi's tries.