Danny Bloor believes the spirit within the Lewes squad is the best he has known in football.

The experienced Bloor managed Worthing and Eastbourne Town before linking up with Garry Wilson in a new management team at the Dripping Pan in the summer.

Together they have completely rebuilt a squad packed with players they have each worked with before.

They had no doubt about the individuals they were bringing in but Bloor admits the mental strength and unity of the squad as a whole has surprised him and Wilson.

That was in evidence away to Ryman premier leaders Wealdstone on Monday when the Rooks fought back from 2-0 down with seven minutes to go, having lost two key players to injury, to snatch a 2-2 draw and stretch their unbeaten start to 11 games.

Bloor believes it will stand them in good stead again today when they head to lower league Chalfont St Peter in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup.

Lewes could be without eight players for the game, including seven who have played in almost every match so far this season.

Skipper Jack Walder and four-goal striker Ade Olorunda are both banned while ever-present brothers Nathan and Sam Crabb are ruled out by hamstring injuries sustained in the draw at Wealdstone.

Top scorer Jack Dixon missed Monday’s game with an ankle problem which has left him doubtful for tomorrow’s match away to the Southern League division one central side.

Ben Austin is struggling with a recurrence of hamstring trouble which has ruled him out of the last two games and now Steve Brinkhurst is a doubt with an injury to the knee that was operated on in the summer.

In addition back-up goalkeeper Jess Grimstone, who would have been on the bench tomorrow with seven substitutes permitted, is definitely out with a shoulder injury.

However, Bloor has backed the players that are left to overcome the problems and deliver a performance good enough to put the Rooks in Monday’s third qualifying round draw.

He said: “We have a really unique bunch of players. This group just doesn’t seem to moan. Whatever you throw at them, they just roll up their sleeves and get on with it."