Hendon, for the second time in six days, conceded a goal five minutes from the end of normal time at Earlsmead. This time the goal was enough to earn Lewes draw on a sunny Saturday afternoon - and there is no doubt that a draw was the right result.

Both James Fisher and Lee O'Leary returned to the Hendon starting line-up, Carl McCluskey and the injured Lee Angol making way. On the bench for the first time was former Northern Ireland international winger Michael Bryan.

After a cagey opening dozen minutes, Hendon had the first opening when Billy Lobjoit set up Jefferson Louis. His powerful drive was on target, but was well save by former Hendon keeper Rikki Banks.

Four minutes later a deep cross from Fraser Logan was met at full stretch by Ade Olorunda. Although only three yards out, the striker could not control his lunge and sent the ball inches over the crossbar.

Junior Morias was causing problems for the Lewes defence and he was twice stopped illegally around the edge of their penalty area. Louis and Lobjoit took the free-kicks but wastefully failed to hit the target.

In the 28th minute Lewes midfielder Jack Dixon spotted an opening about 25 yards from goal. His drive was not the most powerful, but the accuracy was almost 100 percent and Charlie Horlock couldn't reach it.

Unfortunately for Dixon, the ball struck the inside of the post and deflected away from incoming Olorunda and was cleared by Sam Flegg.

The half finished with Lewes beginning to exert control, without troubling Horlock, much in the same way that Hendon had failed to unduly concern Banks in the earlier going.

In the second half, the two midfields saw plenty of possession while the defences pretty much dominated the opposing attacks. Neither team could find the decisive final ball that would unlock the rearguards.

Then, out of nothing midway through the half, Hendon took the lead. Tony Taggart and Lobjoit did well down the left side the resulting cross was beautifully placed and weighted into an unpopulated part of the penalty area.

The ball was knocked to the edge of the penalty area where Jefferson Louis was waiting - for once clear of Jay Lovett and Ben Austin. His first-time shot was perfectly placed beyond Banks's dive just inside the far post.

This was the signal for Lewes to up their game and, eight minutes later, Rooks substitute Matt Crabb found himself in a good position. His shot was just off target and Hendon breathed a sigh of relief.

Although Lewes created a few more half openings, Fisher and Flegg and were in control of the Hendon penalty area and few clear-cut chances presented themselves. And, as Lewes pressed, it allowed Chris Seeby and Taggart to get forward more. Two or three crosses needed only a touch to double the Greens' advantage, but none were forthcoming.

Two or three free-kicks around the Hendon penalty area gave Lewes hope, but their accuracy matched the Greens' first-half futility. However, with five minutes remaining a left-wing cross was flicked neatly just inside the far post by Dixon.

In stoppage time, both teams had chances to snatch a winning goal. A cross from Bryan - who had replaced Lobjoit - was flicked on by Dave Diedhiou and fell for Seeby. With Banks struggling to get into position, Seeby may well have scored with an accurate shot. Instead the ball cleared the bar.

At the other end, Olorunda had a great chance when a cross picked him out. Horlock had come out to deal with the danger at his near post and he had left most of the goal unguarded.

Olorunda followed the coaching manual by directing the ball where the goalkeeper was coming from. Unfortunately for him, he managed to head the ball directly into Horlock's midriff and he was able to complete the save after a minor fumble.