A COOL finish from Craig O’Connor exemplified a professional performance from the Magpies at the Dripping Pan on Saturday which fully merited the three points.
Coming off the back of the disappointing end to the match at Weymouth, the Magpies travelled in trepidation to meet Lewes, whose line up read like a who’s who of non-league football and included the revered ex-Magpie Francis Duku. However after the referee delayed the start by seven minutes to await the arrival of the Lewes keeper, United maintained control from start to finish.
However the first goal scoring opportunity did not arrive until the 28-minute mark but it proved to be the crucial strike for the Magpies.
A perfectly weighted through ball from centre back Bryan Smith wrong-footed the Lewes defence and sent Craig O’Connor haring towards goal before firing home just inside the penalty box.
The lead was almost doubled before half-time when a Barrie Matthews cross found Lawrence Yaku, whose shot was deflected over, while Matthews himself had a shot well saved by following a cross by Rob Saunders.
The second half continued in much the same fashion despite three Lewes substitutions with Smith and Saunders coming closest to scoring for United.
Michael Watkins’ debut in the United goal – for the dropped Nick Hart – remained largely trouble-free, and he was called into serious action just once palming a shot from Barrington Belgrave around the post.