Joe Keehan scored a hat-trick as Lewes fought back from two goals down to beat high-flying Dover 6-2 in a thrilling contest at the Dripping Pan.

The Rooks looked to be out of it when second-placed Dover raced into a 2-0 lead.

But Steve Ibbitson's men fought back to lead 3-2 at half-time and wrapped up their best victory of the season so far when Keehan scored twice in five minutes midway through the second half to complete his treble.

David Wheeler put some added gloss on the win by racing through to score a sixth in the closing stages.

The Rooks got off to an awful start, finding themselves a goal down inside two minutes and two behind by the 14th.

James Rogers broke the deadlock from close range, prodding home after Frannie Collin pulled the ball back from the byline.

Rogers also had a free-kick superbly saved by Rikki Banks on four minutes and it was no surprise when Dover went 2-0 ahead when Collin turned in Dean Hill's excellent left-wing cross at the near post.

With a two-goal cushion the visitors seemed to take their foot off the pedal and Lewes took advantage in emphatic style.

Keehan rifled home in the 20th minute after being teed up by Tim Rivers following a super break down the left from Steven Brinkhurst.

On-loan Albion winger Brinkhurst then produced the moment of the half on 36 minutes, collecting a short pass from Keehan on the left before turning inside on to his preferred right foot and unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner from 25 yards.

Brinkhurst was tearing Dover apart and his forceful run helped Lewes take the lead two minutes before the break. Brinkhurst collected a clever pass from Williams Peauroux before running on and seeing his shot turned into his own net by defender Ollie Schulz.

The heavens opened in the second half but Lewes fans were not complaining when they went 4-2 ahead.

Wheeler had just had a strong penalty appeal turned down when he won a corner which found its way to Keehan at the back of the penalty area and he took one touch before drilling inside the near post.

Four minutes later Keehan completed his hat-trick from another Peauroux corner, this time from the left, which the midfielder headed home.

Home supporters called for six and they almost got their wish when substitute Jean-Michel Sigere, making his return to the club, had a shot deflected into the side netting.

Wheeler did add a sixth three minutes from time when he ran through to fire low past the goalkeeper.

Lewes: Banks; Barness, Pearson, Breach, Sutton; Wheeler (sub Royce 88), Keehan, Walder, Peauroux, Brinkhurst; Rivers (sub Sigere 72). Subs not used: Foreman, Louis, Timms.

Dover: Whitehouse; Walder, Schulz, Leberl, Hill; Wallis, Moore (sub Hughes 46), Southall; Rogers; Birchall, Collin. Subs not used: Miller, Cloke, Hessenthaler, Hook.

Referee: Mr S. Butler.

Attendance: 505.

See The Argus on Monday for a full report, pictures and reaction from the game.