C&K BASILDON Ladies were edged out 2-1 by mid-table rivals Lewes in a disappointing afternoon on the south coast.

Karissa Rodney’s goal wasn’t enough for Steve Tilson’s side as they lost a second match in a row by the same score line, although they weren’t helped by a sending off of Charlotte Long midway through the second half.

Basildon goalkeeper Molly Povey was needed to make an early save before Stacey Little responded with a volley that went wide just of the upright.

Povey was forced into a low save although the rebound should really have been scored as the ball flew over the bar from point black range.

But Lewes did take the lead soon after when Danielle Lane beat Povey from inside the penalty area.

Basildon were back on level terms just after the half hour mark, when Amy Nash's deep free kick was headed back across goal by Claire Lacey, and Rodney was first to react and bundled the ball home from close range.

Nash sent a low shot from distance past the post as the visitors ended the half on top although the tide was to turn after the break when Long was dismissed with 30 minutes to play.

Lewes almost made their extra player count immediately, but Karen Stephanou made a goal line clearance to keep the scores level after Natasha Wells' shot had beaten Povey.

But the reprieve was short lived, as the resultant corner found Wells at the far post and she made no mistake from six yards out.

Lewes hit the crossbar but Basildon still had chances to snatch a point in the final 15 minutes.

Rushen’s shot at the far post was cleared off of the line and a minute later Rushen's cross found the head of Karissa Rodney, who saw her goalbound header tipped round the post. With five minutes remaining Rodney went through one-on-one but was denied by the legs of Lauren Dolbear in the Lewes goal, with the goalkeeper again saving from the same player in injury-time.

C&K Basildon: Povey, Long, Stimson, Stephanou, Lacey, Rushen, Little (Debell), Huggins (Blowers), Rodney, Mellors (Bradley), Nash.